5 sharp tattoo studios in Hamburg

Pineapple, palm, elephant or jackknife – line- and dotwork from Vaders.Dye has long been admired beyond Hamburg’s boundaries. You have to book months in advance for an appointment with one of the ten artists at the studio in the Colonnaden.

The five artists’ styles and illustrations may be a joy forever. Jules Wenzel works for the collective, but her main job is as an illustrator. She puts her lovingly detailed figures on paper or under the skin or sewing machine with a unique stroke.

The works of Hamburg tattooist Christian Warlig (1891-1964) are an inspiration to many artists today. That definitely applies to the productions of Yobbo and Chriss Dettmer. At their studio, they concentrate on traditionals with official contours and glowing colours. Recurring themes are snakes, roses, swallows and death’s heads.

The ‘Stube’ has been in St. Pauli since 1946 – and yes, there’s probably a hut in Samoa where tattooing has been going on for much longer. All the same, Hamburger Berg No. 8 is an attraction. Founder Paul Holzhaus and his successor Herbert Hoffmann are seen as style icons and were leaders in seaman’s motifs, as the ‘Old School’ of the north.

The TBM Studio Hamburg lies deep in the heart of Ottensen and mainly wields its needles under the skins of locals and far-travelling fans for old-school and neo-traditional tattoos. Lene, Jan, Stefan, Ole and Micha regularly offer walk-in days. All you have to do then is point to your anchor or knot, and the needle starts humming.