Where to get inked in SF on Friday the 13th
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For most, Friday the 13th may represent bad luck. But for tattoo lovers, it's the best time to get inked.
The vibe: Tattoo shops across San Francisco and the bay are honoring the day by offering walk-in deals on old-school and custom flash designs, which are small and faster to complete than most pieces.
The intrigue: With its long and storied tradition of tattooing, the city is home to some of the most recognizable names in tattoo history, including Ed Hardy and Lyle Tuttle — two renowned artists who've come to define the contemporary tattoo movement.
Fun fact: The Friday the 13th trend was popularized in the 1990s by the Dallas-based tattoo artist Oliver Peck, who noted that the tradition may have originated with notoriously superstitious sailors who got the number 13 as a protective charm against misfortune. Today, the day is memorialized for its celebration of art, counterculture and defiance.
Pro tip: It's a rare opportunity to get a high-quality tattoo at an affordable price, which makes it an extremely busy day for most shops that offer deals. Make sure to bring extra cash and leave a healthy tip to show your artist some appreciation.
Here are five local tattoo specials for Friday. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
🗡️ Moth and Dagger in downtown is hosting the flash special as part of a toy drive with the San Francisco Firefighters Local 798.
- Tattoos for $100 with toy donation, $120 without.
- Cash only.
- Open from 11am to 8pm.
- The cocktail bar Tunnel Top will be offering drink specials all day.
🖤 Idle Hand on Haight Street is offering deals from its book of "get what you get" flash sheets.
- Tattoos for $100.
- Cash only.
- Open from noon to 8pm.
🐅 Eye of the Tiger in the Sunset is offering five new flash sheets to choose from.
- Tattoos for $100.
- Cash only.
- No neck, hands or ribs tattoos.
- Open from 10am to 8pm.
🏙️Tattoo City, the famed shop in North Beach, is hosting its last Friday the 13th event ever before closing for good at the end of the month.
- Prices for select flash start at $100.
- Cash only.
- Open from noon to 7pm.
🍀 Lucky 13 Tattoos in Alameda is honoring its namesake with one-of-a-kind deals and a special giveaway.
- Prices for flash start at $60.
- Cash only.
- Open from noon to 8pm.
- Everyone who gets a tattoo is automatically entered into a two-hour tattoo session give away.