The vibe here is straight-up laid-back. No one’s trying to intimidate you or act like some tattoo snob. There’s music playing, people laughing, and everyone’s cool whether you’re covered in ink or just thinking about your first tattoo. We take the art seriously, but not ourselves. You can ask any questions, hang out, and feel like yourself. It's the kind of place where nerves fade fast and ideas flow.

Matt’s the main artist here, co-owner of the shop, and the guy laying down most of the ink. He specializes in American traditional and black-and-gray realism, but he’ll take on anything that walks through the door, fine line, custom script, bold color, cover-ups, you name it. If you already know the style you want, he’s got you. If you’re unsure, he’s the type to sit down, talk it out, and sketch something that fits your story. You can always flip through his portfolio to see the kind of work he turns out before you commit.

Custom tattoos start at our shop minimum of $100, and the final price depends on your idea, the size, placement, and how long the piece takes. Some tattoos are a quick hour, others go all day; it all comes down to the design. To book your spot, there’s a $100 deposit, and that goes toward your final total. We square up pricing during a free consult so you know exactly what you’re walking into before any needles hit the skin.

You sure can. Swing by anytime and dig through our artists’ portfolios—zero pressure to book on the spot. If you’ve got an idea, we’ll sit down with you, talk it out, and give you honest feedback during a free consultation. We’ll walk through design, placement, and pricing so you know exactly what you’re getting into. No mystery, no ego—just real talk and solid art.

Yeah, we do both tattoos and professional piercings. Every piercing is done with high-quality jewelry—titanium, surgical steel, or real gold—and always with single-use needles and proper sterilization. If you’re curious about a new piercing or just want to check out the jewelry we carry, swing by and talk with us. We’ll walk you through what to expect and help you choose what feels right.

Absolutely. Bring your sketch, screenshot, doodle, or that crumpled napkin you pulled out of your back pocket — we’re all about it. You bring the spark, and we’ll turn it into a badass custom design that actually fits you. At Curly’s, there’s zero ego and zero judgment. Our artists sit down with you, talk through the vibe you’re chasing, and build the design with you step-by-step until it feels right. You’re part of the process the whole way. And don’t sweat the quality of your drawing — we’ve worked from everything from stick figures to fully fleshed-out concepts. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We’ll bring your idea to life with real artistry, real conversation, and that old-school-meets-modern energy that makes Curly’s, well… Curly’s.

Walk-ins are always welcome—especially if you’re feeling spontaneous or want something smaller. For custom pieces or larger ideas, we recommend booking a consultation so we can dial in the design, size, placement, and timing. If we’ve got availability when you walk in, we’re happy to fit you in. Either way, you’ll get our full attention and a tattoo done right.

First-timers and walk-ins are always welcome. Nobody’s born covered in ink. If you’re planning a larger or custom piece, booking an appointment is the move. But if you wake up one day and decide it’s tattoo time, just walk in. Our crew will walk you through the whole process, answer your questions, and make sure you’re comfortable—whether it’s your first tattoo or your fiftieth.

Yes—this is a great spot for first-timers who want a custom tattoo and a chill, judgment-free vibe. Getting your first tattoo can be nerve-wracking, and that’s totally normal. At Curly’s Tattoo Parlor in Athens, the artists actually take time to talk with you, answer questions, and help shape your idea into something original—no cookie-cutter designs, no attitude. The shop itself is laid-back with woodgrain walls, local art, and even a pool table, so it never feels stiff or intimidating. You’re welcome to stop by just to check out the space, talk through ideas, or hang out before committing. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fifth, the goal is simple: make you feel comfortable, respected, and confident every step of the way.

Yeah, if you refer a friend and they book an appointment, both of you get a discount. Just make sure your friend says your name when they come in for their appointment so we know who sent them. It's our way of saying thanks for spreading the word and keeping the good vibes alive.

Yes—walk-ins are always welcome. Whether you’re feeling spontaneous or just want to talk through an idea face-to-face, you can stop by anytime. If you already know exactly what you want or need to lock in a specific time, booking an appointment with a $100 deposit guarantees your spot. Some larger or more detailed pieces may need an appointment after a quick in-person chat so we can do them right—but if the chair’s open, we’re happy to see you. No pressure, no attitude.

Walk-ins are always welcome — if a spot’s open, we’ll take care of you. That said, booking an appointment guarantees time with the artist you want, especially if you’ve got a specific idea in mind. Best move? Call us or shoot us a message, and we’ll tell you straight what the day looks like. Whether you walk in solo or roll through with friends, you’ll get real art, honest answers, and zero ego.

Walk-ins are always welcome if an artist has open time. For larger or more detailed pieces, booking an appointment is the best way to make sure we can give your tattoo the time it deserves. If you’ve got the itch and want to stop by, come on in—we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible that day.

Walk-ins are always welcome at Curly’s Tattoo Parlor, and we do our best to accommodate same-day tattoos when chairs are available. If you’re planning a custom piece, booking ahead with a consultation is the best move—it gives us time to collaborate on the design and make sure it’s done right. Whether you walk in or book ahead, you’ll never get rushed or treated like just another number.

We take walk-ins whenever we have availability, but booking ahead gives you more options for dates, times, and artists. Walk-ins are first-come, first-served, so if the shop’s busy or you’re planning something more detailed, an appointment is the safer move. Either way, swing by or give us a call—we’ll get you taken care of.

Yeah—we take a $100 deposit to lock in your appointment. It’s not an extra fee; it comes off your final price. The deposit secures your time with the artist and makes sure everyone’s on the same page. If you show up, it applies to your tattoo. If you no-show, that’s the cost of holding the slot. Simple, straightforward, no games.

Walk-ins are welcome, so if you get the itch for some fresh ink or a piercing, you can just stop by. If you’ve got a specific design in mind or want something custom that’ll take a while, it’s smart to book ahead—those big or more detailed pieces need extra time to plan. Either way, we’ll talk you through everything when you get here, no judgment, no pressure.

Yes, a deposit is required to secure your appointment. The deposit confirms your time slot and allows your artist to begin preparing your custom design. It will be applied toward the final cost of your tattoo.

First-timers are always welcome, and small tattoos are no problem here. We get that you might want to start with something simple before committing to a larger piece. Whether you want a quick symbol or something a bit more detailed, we’ll walk you through the whole thing and make sure you’re comfortable. No need to have a giant design in mind—you can dip your toes in and see how it feels. If you get hooked, we can always go bigger later.

All our equipment is sterilized and we use fresh needles for every client—no exceptions. We keep our stations spotless, wipe everything down before and after every session, and use medical-grade cleaning stuff, not just basic cleaners. We set things up in front of you so you can see it’s clean and safe. This isn’t just about rules—it’s about respect for your skin.

Definitely. Getting matching tattoos with friends is pretty common around here, and we make it easy whether it’s something small or more detailed. The shop’s chill, artists are cool with groups, and you’ll get clean, solid work without feeling rushed. We’ll walk you through the whole thing—placement, style, care tips—so you all leave happy and inked up. If you're on the fence, drop by and talk ideas with us.