Diamond Jacks

I did a lot of research before deciding on this shop. A LOT.
Mind, this was not my first tattoo. Not even my second. This was my fourth — it just happened to be my first tattoo done by someone other than my regular US guy, Guf. But I knew that if I was getting a tattoo on this trip, it was going to have to be done in London, for the meaning of it all.
As I say, I did a lot of research. I corresponded with several shops via e-​mail, since we weren’t in the UK at the time. The tattoos that we wanted were fairly simple — a band logo, all black, and nothing special or crazy to be done with them. I even sent the shops jpeg copies of the image we wanted, just so they knew.
We decided on Diamond Jacks for a few reasons, and planned our one Saturday in London around being at the shop right when they opened, and staying for as long as it’d take to do two small-​ish tattoos.
We showed up right at 11 am, but the shop was closed up tight. Undeterred, we did a couple quick laps around the neighborhood (kind of sketchy, if you’re easily scared off), and the next time we stopped by, the door was open.
Up the stairs we went to talk with the first person we came into contact with. We discussed everything we wanted, and he said he could have someone do it that day, but that he had an appointment already. They had us sit down to fill out some paperwork, and I handed over a high quality hard copy of the image in question.
Not long afterwards, they came to get us. We were taken upstairs to have our tattoos done at the same-​ish time — and I think they were brothers. We never got their names, which kind of annoys me (they didn’t introduce themselves, and I didn’t think to ask till it was too late), but they were quick and efficient. My version is on my forearm, and is quite small, compared to my husbands (which is on his calf).
They went through the whole speech about care and placement and all that, and my guy seemed a bit shocked when I told him that this is my fourth tattoo. I think he may have thought I was fibbing, but I was more than willing to bust out two of the three, at least, to prove it to him.
At any rate, he quickly placed the stencil and got me set up, and before I knew it, he was going to town with the needle. It was quick and painless — for both of us — and we were in and out before the hour was up. It was kind of pricey for two small-​ish tattoos, but I can’t begrudge them that.
Overall I’m happy with my tattoo. It looks how I want it to look, and it’s not nearly as in-​your-​face as I was afraid it’d be (all my other tattoos are bright and colorful and cheery, whereas this one is all black). I’m glad we went, and I’m glad we have this permanent reminder of our epic European vacation.

I’ve had my full arm sleeve done from Gino. He’s the nicest guy. I went there with just an idea in my head. He took the time to draw it out, talk with me, and take me through the whole process. Four sessions later now, my arms finally complete and I couldn’t be happier.
Definitely going here again.

My husband and I made our first visit to Diamond Jacks Tattoo Parlour last week which helped us decide (with their advice) what tattoo we wanted and where, and we made a reservation for today. When we arrived at midday my tattooist Rumen had drawn exactly the piece of artwork I wanted on my shoulder and after two hours my masterpiece was complete and to say I am extremely happy with is is an understatement — it’s brilliant! Darryl, Diamond Jacks owner tattooed my husband and he was also extremely pleased. We would definitely recommend them, not only because of their professionalism, but also their knowledge and their value for money for the service provided.

If you are looking for a tattoo in London, Diamond Jacks is the place to go. The shop is tucked away in an alley in Soho. I could tell this place has lots of history, these guys are artists doing exceptional work. After visiting 2 times and talking with the artists, I knew what I wanted and booked an appointment.
Gino spent a little over an hour on my piece. He made the tribal artwork come to life on my leg, I love it. I’ve got a great tattoo from one of London’s old time Tattoo Shops.

hell yes, i love this studio. 3 pieces are on my skin and i still love them.

Located right in the heart of Soho, in what we nickname Porn Alley, Diamond Jacks is truly a London institution and has been frequented by many a celeb too, although by the reasonable prices you wouldn’t guess it.
I’ve had two tattoos from here after a friend recommend coming here for the first one 3 years ago.
I was impressed by how friendly, welcoming, polite the staff were and immediately they put me at ease as I was kind of nervous for my first tattoo in particular and for the second as I knew it would be painful! I shouldn’t have been though at it was fine, the first one didn’t hurt at all — it’s on the inside of my wrist and Gino chatted to me throughout and it looks really cool and people always ask about it and compliment it. A lady, whose name I can’t recall (which really annoys me as I’m good with names but also as she was lovely!), did my second tattoo and although it hurt like hell as it was on the inside of my ankle, she chatted to me and kept asking if I was okay.
On both occasions, the studio was really clean and hygenic and friends that came along with me were tempted to get a tattoo whilst browsing through the multitude of designs on offer, though they are also great at designing tattoos for you and obviously more than happy to design a tattoo you have brought with you which is what i did both times.
I’m now considering my next design — the hard part is what and where!!!

I honestly was really drunk when I came here, but I remember the chick who was giving me a piercing was getting annoyed with me because i was drunk. i remember it looking cool inside and clean. but then i was kinda bummed when i sobered up because i realized how much cash i had to take out of the atm (they dont take cards :() and also because my piercing was kinda crooked.
but i didnt get any infections, so thats a plus. u guys lose a star for not taking cards… wtf? EVERYbody takes cards!!! oh, and cuz they pierced me wrong, so i ended up having to take it off eventually…
oh yeah… i also feel like the chick ripped me off just because i was drunk… how rude… lol but it was still a good memory of my trip to SoHo…

Darryl did a very big, very difficult piece on the back of my arm here, to perfection a coupla years ago. friendly guys, and a decent discount at the end of it.

Having worked in Soho for 20 over years I remember this place when it was owed by Dennis Cockell, in fact he did my very first tattoo. Tucked away deep in the very sordid beating heart of Soho between sex shops and strip joints (a perfect tattoo joint location!) you climb the narrow steep stair case To access the main studio, the walls covered in the flashes and sketches of the skin art available, both traditional and contemporary. The studio offers tattooing by Darryl Gates (the current owner), Gino Angelove, Mil Martinez and Susannah Widmann. the studio has expanded to two floors scince my first visit over 20 years ago.
On a recent visit back to London I decided to get a new tattoo to compliment my collection, specifically from this studio having such memories of Soho from back in the day, I wanted something traditional and settled on a six-​shooter pistol from one of Dennis Cockells original designs. Sitting with Darryl while he worked on my arm we chatted about the studio and it’s history, London, Soho and a list of celebrities he has worked on over the years, including Cameron Diaz (a painted tattoo job for a photoshoot, no she didn’t get a rose on her arse) and an army of rock stars. Diamond Jack’s are dedicated traditionalists and come highly recommend. This place will again pass one day into the hands of another artist and the studio will live on in my favorite part of London, very cool. Thanks Darryl, you gave me a great tattoo and refreshed my memories of a very special time in my life.