Bad luck? Not in New York.<\/p>\n
Friday the 13th has long been one of the city\u2019s most ink-happy traditions\u2014and in 2026, it hits twice, landing on Friday, February 13 and again on Friday, March 13. For tattoo shops, that means flash sheets in the windows, lines down the block and deeply discounted designs you can only get one day a year.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve never done a Friday the 13th tattoo in NYC, the rules are simple: walk-ins only, flash designs only and a whole lot of organized chaos. Here\u2019s where to go\u2014and what to expect.<\/p>\n
Live By The Sword Tattoo<\/p>\n
All three Live By The Sword locations (Soho, Union Square and Williamsburg) are running Friday the 13th tattoo and piercing specials<\/a>, with walk-ins welcome throughout the day. Expect classic flash, fast turnarounds and a steady buzz from open to close.\u00a0454 Broadway; 7 East 14th Street; 218 Bedford Avenue<\/p>\n Uplift Tattoo<\/p>\n Uplift in Soho is hosting a Friday the 13th flash tattoo and piercing event<\/a>, leaning into the tradition with event-only designs and an all-day walk-in setup. Show up flexible and ready to choose from the board.\u00a0497 Broome Street<\/p>\n NYC Tattoo Shop<\/p>\n If you want maximum commitment, this is it. NYC Tattoo Shop is running a 24-hour Friday the 13th tattoo marathon<\/a> across its Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bowery locations. Flash tattoos, rotating artists and nonstop energy make this one of the city\u2019s most intense ink days.\u00a042 West Street, Suite 104; 141 Canal Street, 2nd floor; 164 N 6th Street<\/p>\n Daredevil Tattoo<\/p>\n A true original. Chinatown\u2019s Daredevil Tattoo is widely credited with kicking off NYC\u2019s Friday the 13th tattoo tradition<\/a> nearly 25 years ago. Designs drawn just for the day cost $40 to $60, with the first 20 people in line snagging $20 tattoos. The flash sheet goes up in the window at 12 pm, cash only, no sneak peeks and yes, there will be a line.\u00a0141 Division Street<\/p>\n Cherry Bomb Tattoo<\/p>\n Cherry Bomb\u2019s Friday the 13th<\/a> is fast, loud and very New York. The popular queer-owned shop sticks strictly to its custom-drawn flash sheets: arms and legs only, black and grey only, no design changes. It\u2019s high-energy, no-frills and exactly what flash day should be.\u00a0231 Eldridge Street<\/p>\n First Class Tattoo<\/p>\n