Versatility is definitely one of Moonchildtattoohale’s strong suits. This studio has a team of artists that offer all sorts of tattoo styles, from realism and line work to custom and original art—they adapt to what you envision and deliver. 

Max, one of the main artists, deserves a shoutout as well. He’s well praised and thanked by his clients, highlighting how meticulous and detail-oriented he is with his work. 

On that note, many of the clients we chatted with were satisfied with the outcomes and how well it healed. It’s also reassuring to see that their environment is clean and hygienic, and we were immediately able to tell this when we stepped into their studio.

Their friendliness and patience are a plus in our books, too. Having someone talk you through the process without making you feel queasy and overwhelmed helps you shake your jitters away, and being calm while being tattooed is especially important. 

Lastly, we like that they also offer other services like tattoo removal, body piercing, and ear piercing. They operate on an appointment-only basis, so book ahead.

Everything looks exactly how I wanted

“I had my first tattoo done by Max and it turned out amazing! The detail is perfect and everything looks exactly how I wanted. The whole process was smooth and professional, and I’m really happy with the final result. Max is super talented and I’d recommend him to anyone looking for a tattoo done right.”

ruby barratt, Google Review

Made me feel completely at ease

“Amazing first tattoo experience at Moonchild. Max is super knowledgeable, made me feel completely at ease, and even followed up about aftercare a week later. Couldn’t ask for better service or artwork. Definitely will be coming back!”

Reece Thompson, Google Review

Rain City Tattoo Collective has a neat setup; they’re an artist-led studio, which means you can choose between artists specialising in different techniques. You can expect their artist to deliver styles such as blackwork, ornamental, fine line, and Japanese-influenced tattooing.

Portfolio-wise, we love that they can handle large and cohesive projects like sleeves, back pieces, and custom compositions. We also appreciate the emphasis on consultation and planning to support tattoo designs that age well and flow seamlessly with body placement. 

Conveniently, they’re located in Manchester’s Chinatown area, so it’s within walking distance of major transport links, restaurants, and city-centre amenities. 

While they are accessible and easy to commute to, they might still turn you down for sudden walk-ins. And keep in mind that they have a minimum charge of around £80.

Nonetheless, we can’t deny that the scale and quality of their tattoos are worth the fees and the hassle to do an advanced booking.

Work is unbelievable 

“Got a tattoo from Tom today and his work is unbelievable! Super kind and nice guy to talk to aswell. Made to feel super comfortable throughout my session. Thank you Tom!”

Skyla Stanhope, Google Review

Whole team was so friendly and welcoming 

“Amazing work from Gre on my first tattoo! He’s an absolute pro and couldn’t be happier with my new ink! The whole team were so friendly and welcoming – cannot reccomend highly enough”

Ben Daniels, Google Review

Just from their portfolio, we’re impressed by the delicate linework, botanical motifs, and illustrative aesthetics at Flesh. They deliver clean lines, shading, and no unwanted patches.

That said, we learned that they’re an artist-driven studio where tattoos are largely custom-designed rather than something pulled from generic catalogues.

Speaking of custom designs, we’re glad that they don’t rush things; they encourage thoughtful consultations and planning before tattoo sessions. You see, clear pre-session planning prevents rushed decisions and regrets on tattoo day.

When tattoo day comes, it’s usually smooth sailing from there. Their private and calm studio helps bring nerves down, especially if it’s your first time. 

Here’s the drawback: we noticed that their waitlists can be lengthy, and this might be a dealbreaker if you want something done as soon as possible. 

On the bright side, you can take advantage of their free consultation to discuss things about size and designs without any upfront costs. 

Fantastic place to get my first tattoo

“Fantastic place to get my first tattoo. It was so well organised from booking our appointment to having it done. Adam did an amazing job and put us both at ease for our first tattoo. Would highly recommend.”

Sara Leydon, Google Review

End result being better than the drawing 

“A superb experience with Viktoria. Went like clockwork with the end result being better than the drawing.

duncan pattinson, Google Review

The artists at Last Supper Tattoo Studio know how to devour bespoke tattoos. In fact, they’re an international award-winning studio with tattoo convention wins in Manchester, New York, and London. 

So, it’s no surprise that their range is also wide; think Greek mythology, religious, Japanese, traditional, scriptwork, tribal, and Māori tattooing.

Another thing worth highlighting is their photorealistic tattoo portraits and large-scale work. We saw how impressive and intricate their work is, spanning from cover-ups and sleeves to black and grey work to colour tattoos—they definitely have incredible technical precision. 

We’re also relieved to know that they offer aftercare guidance. The clients we spoke with felt reassured and supported by the quick replies to concerns and questions.

The catch? If you want to go for their services, then you’ll have to make a deposit to secure any bookings.

But hey, their services are worthwhile, and besides receiving aftercare assistance, you can also have your tattoo professionally photographed, which we think is cool.

Really professional, artful, and friendly 

“Highly recommend. Really professional, artful and friendly. In love with my new tattoo and definitely coming back. Kerry was so welcoming and helpful and matched me with a great tattooist Julia whos skill I am in awe of.”

sarah cottam, Google Review

Did a phenomenal job

“Had a chest tattoo done here. Amazing artist (Efren) who did a phenomenal job, staff there were very friendly. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

Neil Price, Google Review

If you want to get inked but are still undecided, then Manchester Tattoo Studio can help you explore your options. They have a wide range of tattoo styles, everything from black and grey and fine line work to dot work, oriental styles, and traditional tattoos.  

Their team and artists work closely with you to plan, design, and decide on an art and placement that you like. It’s also neat that they have multiple artists, each one having their own strengths and niche, which means you can get matched with someone who aligns with your vision. 

Beyond tattoos, they offer tattoo removal and piercing services, too. You can get other work done under one roof, especially if you want cover-ups or refining older work. 

Now, we did encounter reports of pricey tattoo services even for minimal or fine line work.

The silver lining is that their studio is tucked in the Northern Quarter area and is near public transport and accessible for both locals and visitors. 

Felt really comfortable the whole time

“Super friendly environment. Felt really comfortable the whole time, the environment was clean and warm/welcoming and the outcome was great!”

franka iliffe (frankie), Google Review

Talked me through exactly what to expect 

“Ciara was amazing! As this was my first tattoo she talked me through exactly what to expect, and she delivered beautifully”

Andrew Kuwornu, Google Review