The origins of Friday the 13th as a tattoo tradition date back to 2008, when Dallas-based artist Oliver Peck of "Ink Master" fame attempted to set a record for tattooing the number 13 as many times as possible in a 24-hour period. Since then, it has spread across the U.S., including being embraced here in the Valley.
When Friday the 13th occurs this week, local ink-slingers will be prepared.
On Friday, Dec. 13, dozens of Phoenix tattoo joints will celebrate the occasion — including popular shops like Lost Dutchman Tattoos and Rattlesnake Romance Tattoo — by offering specials on flash tattoos for $13 or more. Here’s a list of Phoenix shops with Friday the 13th tattoo discounts and deals.
Bully Dome Tattoo
8024 N. 51st Ave., #5, Glendale602-795-0735Designs from Bully Dome’s flash sheets will be $40 per tattoo from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday. Discounted piercings will also be available by appointment.
DarkArt Tattoo Collective
4923 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix480-572-1201Printed flash tattoos start at $50, and all piercings with implant-grade titanium and gold jewelry are $31 each this Friday. Both deals are first-come, first-served. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the shop will stay open "until everyone has been tattooed."
Desert Ink & Art Gallery
635 N. Country Club Dr., #15, Mesa602-849-4015Desert Ink’s Grinch-themed Friday the 13th deals include flash sheet tattoos starting at $39 each, available on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s a limit of three per person and color is an additional charge. No face, neck, head or cover-up tattoos are allowed. Custom designs start at $60 and must fit within the size of a business card. All jewelry is two for $13 and anyone who donates a new, unwrapped toy will receive 15% off their next visit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dust Devil Tattoo
12248 N. 51st Ave., #2234, Glendale602-626-5676 Not interested in a tiny $13 tattoo? The ink-slinging artists at Dust Devil Tattoo in Glendale will offer palm-sized to hand-sized flash designs on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, priced between $100 and $250.
Electric Cactus Tattoo
7309 E. Stetson Drive, #201, Scottsdale602-228-9935Electric Cactus in Scottsdale will offer tattoos from flash sheets priced at $40, $60 or $80, depending on size. Each additional color costs $10. Closing time is 11 p.m. and cash is preferred.
Golden Rule Tattoo
918 N. Sixth St.602-374-7533The Roosevelt Row location of Golden Rule will have flash tattoos for $130 each. Check out the shop's Instagram for designs and more info.
Grand Avenue Tattoo & Piercings
1502 W. Camelback Road, #1602-626-7752Tattoo and piercing specials will be available from noon until 8 p.m. in honor of Friday the 13th. Walk-ins are welcome.
GreyWash Ink Tattoo
13240 N. Seventh St.602-583-7523GreyWash’s doors open at noon on Friday the 13th with $60, $80 and $100 tattoo specials available. Patrons are asked to sign in with their name and number on the board and they'll be called 15 minutes before their tattoo session.
High Noon Tattoo
4215 N. 16th St., #9602-266-1772You can choose from hundreds of custom palm- to hand-sized designs starting at $100 each. High Noon Tattoo will be open from noon to 8 p.m., and like other local shops, the Friday the 13th special is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Inferno Ink
1837 E. McDowell Road602-223-3498Inferno Ink will host a Friday the 13th block party from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with apparel vendors, games, food trucks, guest artists and live music. Tattoo specials will include designs priced at $20 and $40 with a digital waitlist system to help patrons save time.
Last Laugh Tattoo
828 N. Central Ave.602-527-8070This downtown Phoenix shop will offer $100 flash art tattoos from noon to “late.” No joke. The staff reccommends arriving early to get on the list.
Lost Dutchman Tattoo
4121 N. 19th Ave.602-230-1947The crew at Lost Dutchman Tattoo — including artists Krystal Rose, Alishia Crum, and owner "Uncle Josh" Garglione — will offer 2-inch by 2-inch designs for $80 and 3-inch by 3-inch $130 tattoos on a first-come, first-served basis. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Legacy Ink
2320 E. Baseline Road, #164602-293-3270Legacy Ink will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday the 13th. First-come, first-served specials include 2-inch by 2-inch tattoos for $31, business card-sized tattoos for $60 and basic piercings — such as nose, ear and belly piercings — for $31 each.
Rattlesnake Romance Tattoo
3838 N. Seventh St.602-314-4654Rattlesnake Romance artist Emma Grubes will offer flash tattoos starting at noon for $60 to $100 each including shading and coloring. Cashapp, Venmo, Zelle and old-fashioned cash money are accepted. Text 480-427-0335 to book.
Traditional Ink
420 E. Southern Ave., #104, Mesa480-659-9199 This Mesa parlor will stay open 24 hours on Friday the 13th, offering traditional and select custom tattoos on a first-come, first-served basis. Black-and-gray tattoos are $13 (plus a $7 tip), color tattoos are $31 (plus a $9 tip), and customers are limited to two tattoos each. Ear and nostril piercings will also be available for $13 (plus a $7 tip). The staff will kick things off at midnight on Friday morning, take a break around 5 or 6 a.m. and resume at 10 a.m. A donation of $5 minimum or a new, unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals) to Toys for Tots is required to sign in. Patrons will be called when it’s their turn for some fresh ink.
Sentient Tattoo Collective
227 S. Smith Road, #101, Tempe480-382-9219Flash tattoos, including designs inspired by “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” are available for $130 each from noon to 6 p.m. First come, first served with 50 percent of the proceeds benefitting Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. A car show with more than 100 vehicles will follow from 6 to 9 p.m.
Single Needle Tattoos
1617 N. 32nd St.602-559-7142Single Needle specializes in black and gray fine line tattoos, which is what they'll be inking on Friday the 13th starting at 10:30 a.m. Flash designs, one-word tattoos, and year tattoos up to 2 inches start at $31 each. Lobe piercings are $13 each, while ear cartilage, nose, and lip piercings are $31 each. Navel and nipple piercings start at $61 each. Starter jewelry is included with a $15 upcharge for premium options.
The Snooty Fox Tattoo Parlor
3606 N. 16th St.602-314-6228 This uniquely named parlor will offer five pages of line work flash designs, including traditional tattoos and artwork inspired by "The Nightmare Before Christmas," for $20 each. It’s first-come, first-served, cash-only and patrons may choose as many tattoos as they’d like. Face and neck tattoos aren’t allowed, though.
Westside Tattoos
5510 W. Camelback Road, Glendale623-934-1520Tattoos are $31 each (plus a $9 tip) and piercings are $13 each (plus a $7 tip) at this Glendale ink spot. You can bring your own flash art or choose from any of the available designs. Hours are noon to 10 p.m.
