Frankie and Bride of Frankie Tat – Season-appropriate tattoo art by Tasi Tautolo at Outer Limits Tattoo
Friday the 13th has had creepy connotations for centuries. In recent decades, getting a tattoo on this date has become quite a tradition. Many shops — including several in Downtown Long Beach — offer special Friday the 13th deals, often involving small, affordable “flash” tattoos selected from a list of provided designs.
If you’ve been thinking about getting your first tattoo, why not start small and do it on an edgy day? If you’re already a human canvas, perhaps this is a chance for you to meet a new tattoo artist and add to your personal ink gallery. Either way, check out the Friday the 13th deals offered by these distinctive, high-quality Downtown tattoo shops. Perhaps a small skull, spider, or snake would be an appropriate — and indelible — Friday, October the 13th memento!
THE RAVEN AND THE WOLVES / 212 THE PROMENADE N
The Raven and the Wolves tattoo artist Marc Nguyen
This richly artistic shop will be hosting a Flash Weekend tomorrow and Saturday, with smaller pieces doable within 30 minutes by three of the shop’s 14 tattoo artists. Visit The Raven and the Wolves website for hours and appointments, and check out their Instagram to get a feel for their style!
OUTER LIMITS TATTOO / 22 S CHESTNUT PL
Outer Limits tattoo artist Nyra
This location was already legendary before world-renowned tattoo artist Kari Barba opened Outer Limits Tattoo: It was the home of Bert Grimm’s Tattoo, on the edge of the Long Beach Pike amusement park, which inked up countless sailors and Pike-goers for many decades. Outer Limits is offering a flash menu of designs ranging from $100 to $500 on Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM. To get a look at this shop’s tradition and artistry, visit their website and Instagram.
PAPER CRANE TATTOO STUDIO / 530 E BROADWAY
Paper Crane tattoo artist Joy Shannon
Owner Mikey Vigilante brings over 20 years of industry experience to his shop, which he has staffed with an eclectic group of talented tattoo artists. For Friday the 13th — and through the end of October — Paper Crane is doing flash tattoos for $130 that are regularly priced at $200. Schedule your visit on their website, which provides a great insider look at the workings of the studio. Their Instagram has many vivid examples of their work as well.
ACE OF HEARTS TATTOO / 743 PINE AVE
Ace of Hearts tattoo artists working on designs
Owned and operated by true students of the game, Ace of Hearts is a classic tattoo parlor with a brash, rock ‘n roll edge. Its walls are covered with designs from many eras of the art of tattoo. Tomorrow from 11AM to 8 PM, the shop will be offering traditional flash designs starting at $100. Check out the shop’s awesome work on their Instagram!
AUTHENTIC ROOTS TATTOO / 242 E 7TH STREET
The happy gang at Authentic Roots Tattoo
On Friday the 13th from noon until 7 PM, be greeted by the friendly, down-to-earth crew at Authentic Roots Tattoo, who will be doing flash designs from $50 and up. They’ll be doing custom designs too, starting at $100. If there’s a line when you arrive you can leave your phone number, go out and enjoy some dining and shopping in Downtown, and get a reminder call when your artist is ready for you. Check out Authentic Roots on Instagram.