Big Pine Tattoo & Trade

Big Pine Tattoo & Trade is on the Overseas Highway at Big Pine Key, out in the Lower Keys between Marathon and Key West. Mike Westell owns it and does the tattooing. The shop takes both walk-ins and booked appointments, works with people getting their first tattoo as readily as with people who already have a plan, and does custom design rather than only picking off a wall.

Practically, this is the kind of business where it pays to call first. The shop keeps daytime and early evening hours and shorter hours at the weekend ends, and because it is one artist rather than a row of chairs, availability depends on what is already booked. If you are driving down and want something done on a specific day, a phone call beats turning up.

A note on choosing any tattoo studio in Florida: the state licenses both tattoo artists and tattoo establishments through the Department of Health, and both licenses are required by law and publicly verifiable. It is reasonable to ask to see them anywhere you go, and a licensed shop will not mind being asked.