Decorate me, please: Whether you’re planning a serious body modification or just feeling spontaneous, here are four Chicago tattoo and piercing parlors to keep in mind. We may not have the power to stop you from getting Jabba the Hutt tattooed on your ass, but we can suggest a classy place to do it right.
-Natalie Krebs
Lakeview: The Chicago Tattooing and Piercing Co.
1017 W. Belmont Ave.
El: Red Line, Belmont Stop
Piercer: Rudy
Prices: Piercings start at $40, plus the cost of jewelry ($20-$40). Minimum for a tattoo is $50.
Chicago Tattoo is one of the pricier places on this list, but it’s worth the splurge. I recently went in for a cartilage piercing, and I’m still pleased with the results. Unlike some parlors, Chicago Tattoo has a separate piercing room even for routine piercings. Rudy was friendly and fast, and his 17 years of experience were apparent. He provided extensive care instructions and tips for avoiding painful accidents. The piercing process itself was smooth and virtually painless—the only downside was the staff’s poor wait-time prediction, but you can skip that hassle by avoiding weekends. If you’re interested in a tat, Chicago Tattoo has tons of flash art and seven artists to work with you on a custom design.
Wicker Park: Tatu Tattoo
1754 W. North Ave.
El: Blue Line, Damen Stop
Piercer: Steve
Prices: Piercings start at $30, plus the cost of jewelry. Minimum for a tattoo is $50.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous than an ear piercing, hit up Tatu Tattoo and ask for Steve. When I accompanied a friend last year for her nipple piercing, he was completely professional and refreshingly personable. Steve never rushed my friend, and he also made sure to explain everything down to Tatu’s sterile equipment policies. Tatu Tattoo itself was clean and comfortable. There are two other piercers besides Steve—and 11 different tattoo artists.
Uptown: The Tattoo Factory
4441 N. Broadway St.
El: Red Line, Wilson Stop
Artist: Chris
Prices: Piercings start at $25 for earlobes, but most are around $50 with jewelry. Minimum for a tattoo is $50.
Despite its industrial-sounding name, Tattoo Factory’s tattoos are anything but mass produced. The studio is spacious and the artists are refreshingly laid-back. McCormick junior Laura Sverchek chose Tattoo Factory for her second tattoo, then returned for a consultation with Chris to design her next one. Sverchek also recommends their piercing services: After a botched nose piercing at another parlor, the Tattoo Factory successfully re-pierced it. With three piercers, 15 artists and 16-hour business days, Tattoo Factory is a proven parlor with endless options for anyone in the body-mod market.
Wicker Park: Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
1935 K North Ave.
El: Blue Line, Damen Stop
Artist: Heath
Prices: $80 minimum
Artist Philosophy: “Bold, illustrative imagery that firmly resides in the foundations of classic tattooing.”
You get what you pay for at Speakeasy, the priciest parlor on the list. When my friend and I arrived on their doorstep at the Six Corners, we had to buzz up in true 1920s prohibition fashion. My friend spent weeks searching for a parlor willing to tattoo her desired design before finding Speakeasy. Instead of refusing, Speakeasy artists Heath and Sean suggested a few adjustments during a walk-in consultation. Heath resolved the design’s technical issues while preserving its integrity and satisfying my friend’s vision. Artists are often booked well in advance, so schedule an appointment. Their nine artists and passion for custom artwork will definitely make your wait worthwhile.
Not your average night out: Do you feel that? It’s the blood rushing back to your limbs while you thaw in the mildly warmer weather. Spring is just around the corner (theoretically), and soon you’ll be able to go traipsing around Chicago again without having to risk catching pneumonia. Instead of returning to your usual spots, plan an evening at these hidden gems located throughout the city.
-Denise Lu
Monday: Porn and Chicken Dance Party at Evil Olive
Take your typical club scene, then throw in some porn and chicken, literally. On Monday nights, Evil Olive on West Division Street features all the free wings you can handle and XXX NSFW flicks playing in the background. What the hell, right? Not for the faint-hearted, anything goes at the limitless Porn and Chicken, which features a different guest DJ every week. If you don’t believe the hype, go check out this real-life wet dream for yourself.
Tuesday: Relax Attack Jazz Series at the WHISTLER
It’s not news that Chicago has a rich jazz history, but today’s local scene arguably rivals the Golden Age. Catch some of Chicago’s biggest names in cutting-edge jazz on Tuesday nights at the WHISTLER, a cocktail bar, local record label and art gallery. Free entry means you can explore the unknown abyss of new harmonies and textures and spend your cash on some of the Whistler’s award-winning drinks instead.
Thursday: Dusty Grooves at the Cobra Lounge
It’s almost ironic this lounge isn’t affiliated with Dusty Groove America, the Ukrainian Village record shop that slings rare Golden Age soul and jazz. Rather, Dusty Grooves (with an ‘s’) is a dance party every Thursday night at the Cobra Lounge. DJs spin the best of the oldies, meaning anything from the Beach Boys to unearthed funk cuts that haven’t seen the light of day since the '70s. It might be your mother’s music but these dance moves are anything but antiquated.
Friday: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at the Neo-Futurarium
The longest running show in Chicago, Too Much Light is currently in its 24th year. Even if you like theatre, the Neo-Futurists put on a unique show consisting of 30 plays jam-packed into an hour. With a program that changes every week, the back-to-back plays are coupled with a sprinkle of improv and audience participation. Going along with the idiosyncrasy, admission fees are $9 plus the roll of a single six-sided die. Performances go on every weekend, including Saturday and Sunday, except the last two weekends of December.
Saturday: Sabertooth Organ Quartet at the Green Mill
Tucked away in Uptown, the prolific Green Mill jazz club soldiered through more than a century of Chicago history. Al Capone allegedly did business at the Green Mill, which is now a world-renowned jazz club that is still humbly grounded in its roots. Here, the music is the focus and bartenders won’t think twice to tell you to shut up during a set. On Saturday nights, join other serious jazz enthusiasts and catch the legendary Chicago quartet Sabertooth. The set starts at midnight and plays until 5 a.m.