OUR HISTORY — FUN CITY TATTOO

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Big Steve’s World Famous Fun City Tattoo is an iconic tattoo establishment, located in the East Village of Manhattan, that has shaped American tattoo culture for more than 50 years. Beginning in the 1970s, when tattooing was still deemed illegal in New York City, Jonathan Shaw converted his living room into a tattoo studio. Amid the chaos of downtown Manhattan, this studio became a hub for emblematic musicians and artists such as Dee Dee Ramone and Lydia Lunch. Thus, creating the birth place of what we now know as Fun City Tattoo.
Officially (and legally) established in the 1980s, Fun City Tattoo quickly became known for fusing fine art with punk and hardcore culture at the time. The walls were adorned with esoteric paintings and Jonathan brought in a diverse clientele... from Hells Angels, to Iggy Pop, to Jean-Michel Basquiat and everyone in between.
Influence on New York City Tattoo Culture(Paraphrased from a piece for Noisey, written by Davis Richardson)Despite the winds of change and gentrification sweeping through the East Village, Fun City Tattoo has endured by maintaining it’s essence. Native New Yorker and former shop apprentice, “Big Steve,” took the helm, mastering various tattoo styles while preserving the shop’s heritage. He continues to uphold Fun City’s legacy, drawing in actors, musicians and a new generation of artists.
If you don’t belong, don’t be long.