Great Lakes Tattoo opened its doors in 2013 in Chicago’s West Loop.
From the beginning, the shop has been a one-of-a-kind, attitude-free space that honors the rich traditions of tattooing past, present, and future.
Widely considered one of the best tattoo shops in Chicago, Great Lakes Tattoo is also home to the Great Lakes Tattoo Gallery,
a dedicated art and event space that regularly hosts exhibitions, comedy nights, live music, and more.

A true destination for both Chicago locals and visitors from around the world,
Great Lakes Tattoo welcomes collectors, guest artists, and anyone looking for expertly crafted tattoos in a welcoming environment.
The shop’s tattooers work in a wide range of styles, including American Traditional, Japanese, Black and Grey, Tribal, and beyond.

Appointments and walk-ins are available daily,
with Saturdays reserved for walk-ins only.

The shop is steeped in tattoo history, housing an impressive collection of vintage flash and tattoo ephemera, specifically from historic Chicago tattooers and shops once located in the arcades of State Street.
The walls of Great Lakes Tattoo showcase the most extensive collection of original, hand-painted tattoo flash in Chicago, created by the shop’s tattooers.

A curated library of line drawings is also available,
and clients are always welcome to bring in their own tattoo designs.

Check out some of the best tattoos being done in Chicago on our portfolio page.