Looking for a minimalist design or a larger commitment, these places in Kolkata will inspire you to get inked and become a walking work of art.
Getting Your First Tattoo? These Studios In Kolkata Have The Best Artists
3 Cube Tattoo Studio
Cube Tattoo Studio is around seven years old. The artist Rajdeep Pal will tell you that when he started off, everyone in Kolkata was under the impression that the only place you can get tattooed was Goa! Since then, the scene has changed completely but 3 Cube Tattoo Studio still continues to be a city favourite. With their realistic, geometric work, 3 Cube is a must-visit. Recently, a lot of new places are popping up, but this place offers skill that most of them don’t necessarily have. Check out their Facebook page here.
Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM
Where: 166A, Sarat Bose Rd, Manoharpukur, Kalighat.
Calcutta Ink
This studio in Ballygunge Terrace is a great placed to get inked. With a line-up of seven artists {Sid Thapa, Tshering Sherpa, Donboklang Khowghir, Mik Lepcha, Naisha Raichmond, Kankana Biswas and Palash Kayal}, Calcutta Ink gives you several options in style, skill and design! Donbok’s work has soft shading and bursts of colour, while Kankana’s work is precise and Naisha does a really good job of geometric repetition and minimalism.
We loved the shade of hot pink with lots of framed prints and Buddhist imagery on the walls. Check their site for more information here.
Where: 7 Ballgunge Terrace, Anjali Jewellers & IDBI Bank lane, Golpark, Kolkata
Timings: 11 am to 10 pm.
Lizard Skin
One of the most popular tattoo studios in the city, Lizard Skin has three branches in Elgin Road, Lake Gardens and Howrah. The Lake Gardens studio is the oldest one, and is a great place to visit if you want hyper-realistic, precise tattoos. The artists are very friendly and known to put everyone at ease during the process. This studio was founded by Niloy Das, who is one of Cheyenne Hawk’s {German Tattoo Equipment Company} featured artists.
They have won many awards and have been featured in places like True Artists Worldwide, Ink 2.0 Tattoo Magaine, Tatto Burst Magazine and Urban Ink Tattoo Magazine!
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM
Where: Multiple outlets in Elgin, Prince Anwar Shah {main branch}, and Howrah.
Forever Poetry
Hidden away in a green alley near Jodhpur Park, Forever Poetry lives up to its name, giving you a serene, aesthetic space to sit and relax while getting tattooed.
You will be in the hands of the very skilled tattoo artist – Anirban Roy Choudhury, whose line work is extremely precise and ideas rather unique, combining minimalism, skill and a lot of warmth and love. Be sure to check out his watercolour tattoos as well on their Facebook page.
It’s worth a visit just to see the studio decorated with origami cranes and pages of poetry splattered with paint. The walls have framed prints of city photographer Arka Patra’s work, and the walls are done up with geometric murals. Anirban also has a couple of really nice books lying around for you to read while you wait. Your tattoo experience is taken to another level with some nice instrumental music and green laser lights that transport you to a different mental space.
Forever Poetry also hosts poetry evenings and music nights on weekends.
Where: Gariahat Road
Timings: It varies. Make an appointment with Anirban on +91 9163220610
