Barry Louvaine

I went here for my second tattoo. I was terrified. I always am when I enter tattoo shops. Sometimes the staff have a cooler-​than-​thou attitude.
I needn’t have worried as the staff here are soo friendly, down-​to-​earth and generally very welcoming. The receptionist made me feel right at home. I was able to get a same day appointment, which was great. I don’t recommend impulse tattoos, but I’d been thinking about it for a while so I knew I wouldn’t regret it.
When I came back for my appointment, an artist called Steli (seriously good) did my tattoo. It took him 2 hours and I really feel I must point this out: I brought an outline of the design I wanted. He took about half an hour to do it and then told me he had an idea for more that could be added to it. He asked if I was ok with this. I placed my trust in him and I’m glad I did. He spent the next one and a half hours adding numerous details (including some white to give it extra shine) to really bring it to life. It’s currently my favourite tattoo and it practically leaps off my skin.
When I came back after the healing period (three weeks), he was impressed with how well I’d looked after it.
Another plus is that as they are in south London, their prices are reasonable rather than through the roof, unlike many tattoo shops in north and central London.
If you are looking for a good tattoo, go here. You will not be disappointed.

Barry Louvaine’s House of Living Art is a tattoo artist built around the artful fame and interesting projects undertaken by Mr Barry Louvaine himself. Opened in 1974, Barry was the one responsible for the world’s largest tattoo according to the Guinness Book of Records: The Leopard Man. Google it and prepare to either be amazed or disgusted!
Barry Louvaine has sadly died since, but his honour lives on in this interesting, murky little shop where very capable tattoo artists and a host of unique ink designs line the walls. As with any tattoo artist, a full range of body piercing is available as well, and at a cost of only £25, you can definitely be the main cause of conniptions in your home within a few minutes.