SC
Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
Where artistry meets permanence in Chicago's premier custom tattoo studio.
4.2(5 reviews)
retail-store
$$$
Where artistry meets permanence in Chicago's premier custom tattoo studio.
Speakeasy Custom Tattoo is a top-rated custom tattoo studio in Chicago, IL, renowned for its exceptional artistry and personalized client experience. Our skilled artists, including Felipe and Alex Prequel, specialize in creating unique, high-quality tattoos ranging from minimalist designs to detailed portraits and custom pieces. We prioritize comfort, collaboration, and precision, ensuring each tattoo reflects the client's vision with clean lines and expert shading. With a 4.9/5 rating from over 250 reviews, we are dedicated to delivering permanent art that exceeds expectations in a relaxed, professional environment.
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Personalized tattoo creation from concept to final art, tailored to your ideas and style.
Expertly crafted portrait tattoos capturing likeness and detail for pets, people, and more.
Clean, simple designs with precise lines and subtle shading for elegant body art.
Custom designs for couples, including handwriting and symbolic pieces to commemorate relationships.
Professional tattoo cover-ups and enhancements to refresh or transform existing ink.
In-depth consultations to discuss ideas, placement, and design adjustments for optimal results.
Alex helped me with my first tattoo and it was an awesome experience. It was a custom piece that he added his own style to. He worked really fast and made sure I was comfortable through the process. I’m so happy with how it turned out and would recommend him to anyone!
Felipe did an amazing job and made us feel so comfortable throughout the process. We got a couple’s tattoo in our own handwriting and a portrait of my bud Charlie and he absolutely delivered. I can’t wait to work with him again on future projects.
I recently got a tattoo here by Alex and it was a wonderful experience. As someone who is introverted and quiet around people, I was comfortable talking with Alex when we did speak and it wasn’t awkward when we were quiet. The tattoo that was done came out a lot better than I expected. It was originally supposed to be on my arm but after seeing the design we were able to move it to my leg and it fit so much better there. I genuinely really like my new tattoo and I would definitely get another one done by Alex.
Truly One of the Best Tattoo Artists I’ve Ever Worked With! I’ve had the honor of getting tattooed by Alex Prequel in two different countries (Italy and Toronto) and now that he’s moved to Chicago, I’m already considering a trip there just to continue adding to my collection with him. That alone should speak volumes about the quality of his work. From the very first tattoo he did for me (a beautifully detailed skull) to the lion piece and several smaller minimalist designs, every single session has exceeded my expectations. His technique is incredibly clean, precise, and thoughtful. He has an exceptional eye for detail and shading, and somehow manages to capture exactly what you envision, even when you can’t fully put it into words. Beyond his artistic skill, he’s also one of the easiest tattoo artists to work with. He makes you feel comfortable, listens carefully to your ideas, and gives you honest, professional input that always improves the final result. The atmosphere he creates during sessions is relaxed but focused, which makes the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. What truly sets him apart is the combination of artistry, consistency, and genuine passion for his craft. Every tattoo I’ve received from him still looks incredible today: sharp lines, smooth shading, and designs that always get compliments. If you’re in Chicago (or even if you’re not), Alex Prequel is absolutely worth traveling for. :) I can’t recommend him highly enough, and I’m looking forward to planning my next piece with him soon!!
I put down $200 for a $600 tattoo and I believe I was given a mock-up in which AI was used from Alex Prequel and I think people should be aware that this is a practice from this studio. The response I was given was that he just 'wasn't aware of how a D20 is laid out', however there are inconsistencies within the mock-up that elude to this being AI. Numbers are repeated and 0s are shown in different formats. When pressed, the response was "... the entire drawing wasn't done with AI." implying that AI was used as part of the process. He also likened the use of AI to the use of creative tools such as photoshop, which is simply incorrect. I understand that not all tattoos are created equal by an artist, and that there are some projects that are simply seen as small one offs that they don't care about. This does not excuse using some clanker instead of treating an idea with respect. I acknowledge that while the entire piece isn't AI, Alex did not even attempt to look up a real reference which is also not acceptable. If he's willing cut corners here, then he's willing to cut corners else-ware for a piece of art that is a permanent fixture on other people's bodies. Do better. Update: I received my deposit back, but I am still very unhappy with the practice of using AI for custom artwork.
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