What better way to celebrate the upcoming Friday the 13th in April than with a commemorative tattoo? Although it might seem contradictory to honor a holiday for the star-crossed and accursed, the tradition supposedly dates back to sailors — known for their “old school” body art — who tattooed the number “13” to ward off bad fortune.
Tattoo parlors around the world have turned Friday the 13th (which can occur one to three times a year) into a chance to get inked for cheap. Many offer flash sheets — small, pre-drawn designs — for either $13 (with a $7 tip) or $31 (with a $9 tip). This event is usually first come, first served, so get there early and bring cash. Most places don’t accept cards.
While Krol Body Art is known for its custom tattoos and photorealism work, the holiday is an opportunity for creativity with flash sheets, as they change for each Friday the 13th. Owner Pete Krol said that because this is one of the busiest days in the shop, artists “can meet lots of people. They can draw some simple things that they have in their heads that people are actually enjoying.”
Friday the 13th tattoo specials in Chicago
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5056 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-283-8696
$50 flash designs include decorated skulls, Halloween imagery and hand symbols (peace signs, crossed fingers and the sign of the horn) at this tattoo and piercing joint.
2376 N. Neva Ave., 773-385-8288
This shop will offer $13 1-inch tattoos with options for customization and other upgrades. Following a tradition that started last Friday the 13th, Dream City Tattoos will also have free tacos. New this year, $100 palm-sized roses and $20 wrist-sized name tattoos are available. Basic piercings are also $13 with a $7 tip.
The Hard Core Element Tattoo Shop
3265 S. Archer Ave., 773-376-7467
Have an idea for a 3-by-3-inch tattoo? The Hard Core Element Tattoo Shop will make it a reality for $13. The catch — you have to be one of the first 100 people to get a ticket that the shop began giving out March 26.
3008 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-267-7228
One-inch tattoos will be $13 (with a $7 tip) and 3-inch tattoos will be $66.6 on Friday the 13th. Check out both more traditional unlucky symbols (dice, umbrellas and black cats) as well as pop culture images including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
5331 W. Belmont Ave., 773-736-6960
This West Side staple, which has been around for more than 30 years, offers select $31 tattoos (plus $9 tip) and $13 piercings (with a $7 tip.) Choose from coffins, cats, hearts and other designs. You can also add a “13” to any tattoo for free.
2105 W. Belmont Ave., 773-385-8282
Krol Body Art will offer $30 small tattoos with horror themes: Definitely go here for “Friday the 13th” movie-inspired designs.
1456 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-384-9788
Get a tat of a pop culture character or another 13-related design in Wicker Park. Smaller, simpler designs are $13 with a $7 tip, and larger, more detailed tattoos are $31 with a $9 tip.
6705 N. Clark St., 562-484-8165
Go north to Rogers Park for $20 color flash tattoos ($13 with a $7 tip). The shop has hundreds of golf ball-sized images, including pentagrams, black cats, flowers and skulls, many with a spooky “13.”
Pink Rhino Tattoo & Body Piercing
3519 N. Halsted St., 773-360-8411
Get inked with a slew of $31 piercings and unlucky symbols — black cats, daggers, spilled salt shakers, broken mirrors and ladders — at the Boystown shop, which is holding its eighth Friday the 13th event. While it opens at 12 p.m., get there early, as tattooing usually goes into the early hours of Saturday the 14th. Cash only.
Royal Flesh Tattoo and Piercing
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4005 N. Broadway, 773-975-9753
Head to Buena Park for Friday the 13th scary, superstitious and humorous flash tattoos, from $31 to $60.
4835 N. Elston Ave., 773-481-1108
Starting at midnight, Tattoo Boulevard in North Mayfair will offer $20 tattoos ($13 with a $7 tip) with skulls, devils, the number 13 and other spooky imagery. The shop is expecting a high volume at this first-come, first-served event. Cash only.
3460 N. Pulaski Road, 773-283-8880
In South Old Irving Park, Tattoo Candy is charging $100 for palm-sized flash sheets with creepy, occult and fun designs.
4441 N. Broadway, 773-989-4077
Tattoo Factory has been inking Chicago for over 40 years in Uptown. It’s offering around $40-$60 small tattoos with color and shading. Designs include four-leaf clovers, upside-down crosses and a variety of skulls and eye symbols.
1754 W. North Ave., 773-772-8288
Tattoos start at the $50 minimum at this Bucktown business and include skulls, bats and eyes.
1150 W. Taylor St., 312-455-8288
This year, Taylor St. Tattoo is offering registration for its Little Italy tattoo event, which includes over 200 Friday the 13th designs and draws out-of-town guest artists. While in the past the line has wrapped around the block, a $25 registration this year guarantees a tattoo. Walk-ins are also welcome.
4168 N. Elston Ave., 773-866-0100
This Irving Park studio has held Friday the 13th events for years, with around 500-600 people coming for $20 (about the size of a quarter to half dollar) and $40 (2.5 to 3 inches) flash tattoos. Popular designs such as a ghost figure will come back this year as well as new pop culture images, such as characters from the cartoon “Rick and Morty.” Twisted Tattoo will also offer piercing specials with $20-$50. It’s recommended to arrive earlier in the day. Cash only.