In November 2005, Mike Rubendall established the first Kings Avenue Tattoo location in Long Island, New York. The goal was to build a space that brought artists together to collaborate in a way that would positively influence the community, right in his hometown of Massapequa.
– Our mission is to blend parts of the past and the future, and for our work to express strong historical connections with a unique, modern twist.
– Our vision is to advance the art form. We are committed to creating one-of-a-kind tattoos designed specifically for each individual, alongside an unparalleled client experience.
At its inception, the shop featured just three artists, but as the demand for Kings Avenue Tattoo designs grew, the need for more artists – and a second location – became inevitable.
Kings Avenue Tattoo NYC opened its doors in April 2011 on the street that played a formative role in tattoo history, The Bowery, which overlooks some of Manhattan’s most prominent cultural centers.
As the two busy shops drew increasing respect and critical acclaim throughout the industry, Kings Avenue’s family of artists expanded. More than a dozen resident artists, in addition to a rotation of sought-after guests – including Tim Hendricks, Horitomo, and Henning Jorgensen – have worked with clients across the globe, catapulting Kings Avenue into the top-tier of tattoo studios.
In April 2022, Kings Avenue expanded once more with the opening of its third location in the Downtown Historic district of Durham, North Carolina.
But even as our family continues to grow in both size and reputation, Kings Avenue remains focused on integrity and quality,
The professional artists at Kings Avenue are hand-selected from all over the world and specialize in many styles, ranging from Japanese, American traditional, black and gray, to realism. They thrive on creating unique and original works of art.
Our tattooers have been shaped into who they are partly due to an unwavering commitment to their core values.
“We create out of love for what we do. We believe in it.”
