Trader Bob’s Tattoo Shop

As a tattoo collector from all over the country, I made the decision to check out this shop while I was in town from Chicago. I discovered them on Instagram a few hours before stopping by. The tattooer selection is mixed from what I could tell. If you have a specific style in mind you might want to do some research on each tattooer to find one who will match the style you want. It was either a Friday or Saturday that I came in and did a walk-​in. Unfortunately a lot of other people did the same thing and I was waiting a few several hours with a show to go to. The nice thing is they have a relatively large waiting area and some flash on the walls to look at while waiting. They also sell some pretty cool merch which is nice especially if you’re a traveler and want to pick up a sticker or shirt. If you plan on doing a walk-​in hopefully you don’t have time-​specific plans later that day. Fortunately they were able to squeeze me in. The receptionist dude was kind of standoffish to other customers in terms of answering questions and offering a welcoming environment. I guess if you’re not heavily tattooed it might come off as intimIdating but don’t take it personal. I got tattooed by Matt and the tattoo came out really well and saturated. He was really nice and we had a nice conversation since we both used to live in FL. If you’re looking for a quality tattoo and are passing by this city, check out this shop but clear your schedule

I had a simple tattoo that needed to be redone because it was in terrible shape from 18 years on my foot. Willie was a very kind, efficient, artist. The tattoo literally did not hurt and he had me in and out in 25 minutes. Everyone was very friendly. I love the diverse clientele too.

A few days ago, I got my first tattoo here, and I had an amazing experience. My girlfriend was with me, and I had decided that I was going to get a tattoo come hell or high water. (Keep in mind that it was 8:00 on a Saturday night AND there was a Cardinals game that had just ended.)
About two hours prior, I had stopped in at TRX down the road, and they told me that they could not get me in, even though the tattoo I wanted was going to take five minutes. So, we grabbed dinner, and drove five minutes to Trader Bob’s.
Nash greeted us behind the counter, and we asked if they had any walk in time. He said since it was so late, someone might be able to get me in, but maybe not. We decided to stick around and wait. The whole time he was walking around and talking to the artists seeing how far along they were and if they’d have time for one more.
Finally, Matt got me in. He was funny, he drew up exactly what I wanted, and got right down to business. Keep in mind, this was my very first tattoo, and I decided to get it on my ribs. He made me feel at ease and made me feel comfortable about being a tattoo virgin, and he kept me laughing, and even talked to my girlfriend while he was tattooing.
The price was also super cheap. I only paid $ 50, the shop minimum, for my wonderful tattoo. I will definitely be returning for all my other ink.

Joe Cumbee is a must see! Great artist and great dude. Super easy to talk to and professional. I will follow him wherever he goes!

Great shop, wonderful atmosphere! Omar is amazing to work with and made the entire experience unbelievable.

As a tattoo collector, I sought out Omar. This shop is an awesome street shop. Walk in or set an appointment. I get to many shops around the country and exceptions are high when you visit nationally known talent. This shop met all of it. From the interior wall art, the front desk guy, the music, the T Shirt and sticker swag, the artists attitude and most of all cleanliness. St Louis has a gem in this shop that hopefully gets utilized. My tattoo turned out excellent. What stuck out the most was just the overall friendliness of every artist that I came in contact with. Great shop, highly recommend this place.

Great shop and my tattoo done by Omar is KILLER! Hes fast and does amazing work. Clean shop and great staff! I highly recommend!

This was the 2^nd tattoo that I have had done here. Everyone is very professional and do their best to make you feel completely comfortable. Their work is solid. I have never had nor have I heard first hand of any complaints about a tattoo that was received there. I was very pleased with my experience and am happy to recommend them to anyone who is thinking about getting a tattoo.

Had an awesome experience at Trader Bob’s Tattoo Shop today! Really nice people & I love the job Billy did with my tattoo! Trevor was great about advising me as I decided what to get. Billy adeptly tattooed on a design I liked, worked quickly (super great as I’m not a big fan of pain lol) and accurately recreated the design with great attention to detail. He was also awesome about checking in with me to see how I was doing with the pain. And everyone was very professional in advising me how to take care of the tattoo. Great experience!

Super awesome crew working here! Steven greeted myself and my two sisters at the door and was really friendly and professional! We wanted matching tattoos showed them the pic and they got to working on a stencil for us. Ahmed tattooed my eldest sister and was done quick snap and in a hurry which was amazing because we’re rather loud boisterous and typical girls when we get together! Matt tattooed me (middle sis) freaking awesome! Talked to me the whole time and made me feel super comfortable through the whole thing which if you’ve gotten tatted on the foot is slightly painful. Mike tattooed our youngest sister and was funny and easy on the eyes lol overall it was awesome experience, they were patient and worked well together as a team! We’ll def be going back again! Thanks guys

The entire experience was great. The service was efficient and superb. Matt worked with me to make sure we got the font and angles just right before he went to work, and made me feel at ease. Perfect for a first — or any — tattoo!

Simply the best. I don’t even want to tell you my artist’s name because then you will all want to go to him and he won’t have any time left for me and I still have some blank skin left on the inside of my right arm…

If you are looking for a tattoo shop you should definitely check out Trader Bob’s. The staff are courteous and don’t make you feel out of place.
Both my husband and I have multiple tattoos by Joe Allhoff. He is an amazing artist. He truly takes his time and considers how the tattoo lays on your muscle. Every time i bring him in my inspirations for what I want it seems like he has read my mind and creates the exact piece of art I had in mind. He is truly a professional. We both get so many compliments on the colors and his shading technique. I highly recommend Joe A at Trader Bob’s.

My tat is well over 20 years old and is still very vibrant.
The guy was very courteous and professional.

It’s been three months since I got my first tattoo and I have to say, I love it! I was back in town from college for just the day and within a few hours got something unique and exactly what I wanted. Matt was the guy that tattooed me and I must admit, he is fantastic! My next tattoo will definitely be done here. Not to mention, it’s the oldest parlor in StL and second in the nation. That is special, and I’m proud to tell everyone where I got my tattoo and I always get complements on it.

Love this place! I came in on a Friday night and they got me in. I got to have a guest tattooer, he was from Seattle I believe, and my friend also got a tattoo. At first I was skeptical, because when I showed them the parts of the tattoo I wanted (I wanted my artist to sort of put them all together), I wanted a medium sized, realistic looking tattoo. My artist explained that it would need to take up a good portion of my back for it to look good. he said we could scale it down but it would need to be more of the traditional, cartoonish tattoo. I liked his sketch quite a bit, although when getting the tattoo I didn’t know he was going to shade any of it, and he did, but it looked good so no complaints.
The best part was the experience. I recently got a tattoo at iron age and got a great tat but terrible experience. At Trader Bob’s my friend and I were able to get tattoo’s in the same room, hang out and talk with the artists. It was my friends first tattoo and my 3^rd (my other two were small though) and they did not make us feel uncool or poserish for not being covered in ink. I think my friends artist was pepto or something weird, but he was pretty cool too. She had to wait while I got mine and he brought someone else back there to tattoo and it was just really chill, we were all talking and laughing. I think we were there something like 3 hours and I seriously didn’t even notice because it was such a good time.
Come here, hang out, get a good tattoo!

Rolled up to this place on a monday and thought maybe they’d had room for a walk in… nope… but they got me an appointment for tuesday! I explained I was only in town for a few days and they were stoked that I chose their shop.
Great people, and if I am ever have in STL again — I’ll be back.
Decently priced, rad people, and super great art.
Come here on Fri the 13^th and get a $ 13 (plus $ 7 tip) tattoo.

NO ONE DOES IT BETTER, FLAT OUT!
–haven’t had a piercer for a while and they have gone up on prices since the past year. still more reasonably priced than most shops.

Getting a tattoo, well, you’re either going to be intimidated by the staff with their «hardcore ink» and feel like a poser.
Or, you’re going to say «you know what, I don’t give a shit that I’m not getting a full sleeve of flaming skulls and naked chicks. This is about me. Suck my balls.»
At Trader Bob’s, I expected to have the emotional outburst of the latter. But I didn’t. Why?
Because they’re cool. And nice. And they can laugh and understand that there are people out there that don’t contemplate their next tattoo like they’re the Dalai Lama trying to achieve Nirvana. For some of us, we just randomly say to the spouse «write something on a piece of paper so I can have it inked on me.»
So thanks Rob — you’re cool, you’re understanding, and you did a great job. I’m happy and I’ll be back.

Why this isn’t the hottest tattoo shop on Unilocal is ridiculous. Trader Bob’s (and All-​star, owned by the same people I do believe) does great work. I have zero complaints about my tattoo and experience:)
My Advice:
Go to Trader Bob’s or All-Star…not: Iron Age, Diablo Ink, Full Spectrum (2)
«Those who know go to Joe»