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    Happy Tattoo

    4.7 (12 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

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    Response time

    1 day

    Response rate

    25%

    Services - Happy Tattoo

    Tattooing

    Happy Tattoo Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Happy Tattoo

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    It completely took me by surprise how beautiful the setting is and how sweet both the artists are. My wife and I went with Chris (artist and owner) because he was our first contact when we messaged the place; his story and drive are inspirational and incredible. He was always in a good mood when we spoke and was willing to work with us until we were all satisfied. At the time of writing this, Sue was the only other artist and she was immensely sweet and uplifting every chance we got to see her. I just loved this place, the people, and the tattoo was incredible beyond words!

    Aryn M.

    I LOVE my tattoo and the experience I had at Happy Tattoo! The parlor is unique and beautiful, and I knew when I walked in that I loved the style! Chris Partain is awesome, energetic, and very talented! When I shared my tattoo idea with him, he was enthusiastic and excited to create the perfect piece of art to match my ideas! His lines and use of color really caught my eye, and I am very pleased with the finished tattoo that he created for me! Thanks, Chris, you ROCK! Since I will no longer be in ABQ, I will have to make special trips to Happy Tattoo for my future ink!

    Beautiful coloration!!!

    Chris Partain is at the top of his trade opening his own shop, Happy Tattoo, with skilled associates: Chaney Howe and Amethyst Rose. They are all beautifully talented individuals and tattoo artists. Please see them for your next great piece of ink art or to repair/replenish old work. You will be SOOOOO Pleased!!!! @happytattoabq check them out and book your next ink masterpiece!!!

    The two on the left are Chris' work

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    Walked in and had an amazing experience with Susan. Highly recommend. She took her time and I absolutely love my tattoo.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Zach is amazing. We went in for 2 walk in flash tattoos. The shop is clean and the staff is friendly!

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    3 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Happy Tattoo

    Chris Partain is at the top of his trade opening his own shop, Happy Tattoo, with skilled associates: Chaney Howe and Amethyst Rose.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Tinta Cantina - Image submitted.

    Tinta Cantina

    (29 reviews)

    $$

    Nob Hill

    I got a few small tattoos from Ray. He was nice enough, but he didn't disinfect my skin before…read morestarting, which I've never experienced before (and I have lots of tattoos), so they didn't heal super well. The one on my arm didn't come out nicely at all (the lines are wobbly and the shading looks amateurish), and considering the final quality I feel like I was way overcharged. I reached out to him to see if I could schedule a touch up, which he'd offered to do during my appointment, and he never responded--so now I'm paying another artist to basically fix this tattoo. Also, when I went in, he and another male tattoo artist were shooting the shit in a way that made me sort of uncomfortable as the only woman in the room (and they didn't stop at any point, considering how it might make a customer feel). Overall, just weird and unprofessional vibes from this place and I wouldn't recommend them.

    Have your design ready before you come thru!!! Lots of artwork in the design books located atop…read morethe surfboard/table, but it can be confusing & time consuming (as you peruse the designs). One of few places in the area that takes walk-in clients. Seem strange to me, consider the overwhelming number of tattoo parlors & number of tatted up folks, but hey that's the law of the land. At any rate, I journeyed in to get a tattoo & was appointed to Abe to get me inked up. He did a good job & I must admit although there's a needle carving in my skin, he was gentle enough & allowed me time to make the adjustments for the pain. I was very tense, but his gentle hands helped me to relax during the process; he had a borderline sensuous touch that, ehhhhhhh ok I'll keep it clean, that made relaxing much easier. Seems like they charge more by the hour & not necessary the size of the tattoo, as is in some other places; go figure, tomato, tomato. After the art work was completed, there was a minor adjustment to be made, but that was done a week later to allow for scarring etc. But once that issue was corrected, all was good in the hood.

    Archetype Dermigraphic Studio - Aldo Gallegos tattoo

    Archetype Dermigraphic Studio

    (26 reviews)

    $$$

    Midtown/University

    Once again, my tattoo artist Carlos gives me a unique and custom tattoo…read more So comforting when you have an an idea to put art on your body that you can be happy with...after all it's permanent. Archetype tattoo makes you feel at home and like family, making sure your happy from beginning to end with your tattoo.

    I have nothing but good words to say about this shop, the owner Ben, and my artist, Aldo Gallegos…read more I first met Aldo several years ago when he took over on a tattoo I wasn't able to get finished by the original artist for various reasons. The work that was originally done was just fine, but Aldo really made the character shine in a way I didn't think possible. My expectations were blown out of the water and I was amazed by the improvements he made. Fast forward to 2024, and I came to him with a a few references, an illustrative idea, and a lot of rambling details I hoped he could include. Once again, he was able to take my thoughts and run with them to create a gorgeous illustration. We had a "clarity consultation", something I think every artist should do, to hammer out details and go over any changes I might want made to the original design. I was able to watch his process, see his color-theory (unmatched!) in action, and okay the final design. Aldo's application to skin is flawless, he takes the time needed to make a beautiful piece of art that will stick around for decades to come. Also, he uses Saniderm, which speeds up the healing process immensely. It is clear Aldo takes great pride in what he does, and you can only benefit from getting work done by him. I love showing off the piece and letting people know where I got it. It is only a bonus that he is kind and attentive, something that can lack in the tattoo community. It reflects on the tattoo shop and the owner, Ben, that there is clearly a carefully-cultivated team of professionals at Archetype. The vibe is laid-back but professional and everyone is friendly and accommodating. I will 100% be returning to Archetype, and Aldo, for my next tattoo.

    Aces Tattoo

    Aces Tattoo

    (17 reviews)

    $$

    Midtown/University

    I went with two of my cousins for "cousin tattoos," and they were able to fit us in on a Monday…read moreafternoon. The outside of the shop looked a bit shady, but the inside is great! I'm glad we didn't judge the book by its cover. Bianca did our teeny hearts on our ankles to match. She was so great, and one of my cousins had never had any tattoos before, but Bianca made it so easy for her. She had excellent "bedside manner," if you will, and was really fun to talk to during our time with her. Her artwork in her studio room was all really beautiful to look at too! We paid $60 each, since the shop has a $60 minimum shop fee. I don't live in NM, but I think I would go back to her again to get more stuff done.

    You know how everybody has one shitty tattoo? I got mine here. I got mine done by a guy named…read moreJohnny. It's simple script, but somehow it looks awful. I had to get it touched up 5 times. Yes, 5 TIMES, and it still looks blotchy and grey in some parts. The 4th time I went in, Johnny decided that he didn't like the way the "j" looked and just freehanded over it. So now it looks like balls. Thanks. I'm very upset and frankly, pretty embarrassed of my first tattoo. Johnny was very kind and welcoming, which was the only good part of this experience. If I didn't live on the other side of the country now I would go back in and talk to the manager about getting a more experienced artist to fix this. However, my $100 back for this awful tattoo would be awesome. Although, I'm not expecting it. Not from this place.

    Happy Tattoo - tattoo - Updated May 2026

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