Looking for a Queer Tattoo Artist in NYC? Here's How to Find Your Shop

If you're searching for a queer tattoo artist, you probably already know the feeling you're after. You want to walk into a place where you can be yourself and nobody talks you out of the design you want. Where you don't have to explain anything. And that's the whole reason Cherry Bomb exists.

We're a tattoo and piercing shop on the Lower East Side, and we opened in 2022. The reason was simple. I wanted a space where I could feel at home, and where people like me could feel the same. Somewhere I could fully express myself and build the shop into exactly what I wanted it to be.

If you've never been in, here's the vibe. We're pink and we're always full of gays and allies. Bright pink walls, pink neon glowing in the window, super laid back. We take our time with our clients, and consent always matters here.

I hear the same story from so many people who come in. At other shops their ideas got brushed off, or they felt talked down to, and the whole atmosphere just didn't feel like them. They wanted something that reflected who they are, and they weren't getting it.

So we do it differently. Before you're ever in the chair, we spend real time talking through what you want, what you're nervous about, what you're hoping for, what it means to you. People tell me that's the part they end up appreciating most. By the time the needle comes out, we already know each other, and the tattoo is the tattoo you actually asked for.

A lot of shops will call themselves welcoming. Here's what it looks like in practice at ours, so you know what to look for anywhere you go.

We ask your pronouns, and then we use them. That's it. There's no big production around it. It's just how things work here.

During a session, we talk you through everything and answer any questions as they come up. We check in with you regularly to see if you need a break. And we ask before we move any clothing. You always know what's happening and you're always in control of it.

We're also not weird about bodies. Scars, changing bodies, wherever you want the piece and whatever your body has been through, none of it new to us. It's just skin, and it's yours.

If you're shopping around, those are the green flags to look for. If a shop gets weird about any of the above, that tells you what you need to know.

So what’s the best way to find a queer shop near you? Honestly, the best way is word of mouth. Ask the queer people in your life who did their work and how they were treated. A good recommendation from someone who gets it is worth more than any search result.

When you're looking at an artist's portfolio, look for tattoos in the style you want, done on bodies and skin tones like yours. That last part matters more than people realize. An artist who has tattooed skin like yours knows how the ink is going to sit and heal, and you can see the proof right there in their work.

And don't be shy about reaching out with questions before you book. Any shop worth going to will be happy to answer them.

If it's your first tattoo, here's how it works with us. Once you're here, we talk it through before anything starts, and then we go at a pace that works for you.

If you're nervous, tell us. We'll sit you down and we'll just have a conversation about what's making you anxious. We'll answer every question you've got, calmly, no rush. Most of the time the nerves settle once you realize you're in good hands and nothing is going to happen to you that you didn't agree to.

If any of this sounds like the kind of place you've been looking for, book a consult and let's talk about what you want. You don't have to have it all figured out. Come as you are and we'll go from there.

FAQ

Do you take walk-ins, or do I need an appointment? Both work. You can book online or walk in and we'll take care of you if we've got the space.

Are there age limits for piercings, tattoos, and tooth gems? Yes, and it depends on what you're getting. For a lot of piercings, it's 16+ with a parent or guardian present. For tattoos and tooth gems its 18+.

Do queer tattoos have to be rainbows or Pride themed? Nope. They can be, if that's your thing, but there's a whole world beyond that. Whatever you want is the right answer.

I've had a bad experience at another shop. Will this be different? That's kind of exactly why we're here. We use the pronouns you give us and check in with you the whole way through. Nothing gets moved without asking you first, and you're in control the entire time.