What has superb tattoos, delicious coffee, welcomed walk-ins, and good music? Time Warp Tattoo, my dudes!
Being on or close to Lake Superior brings on a cool feeling of inspiration and possibility. Sometimes, you feel like starting a painting or reading a book by the water. Or, in our case, you have the undeniable desire to walk into the coolest tattoo shop around and see what it’s all about.
If you’ve been searching for a unique experience with tattoos in Wisconsin, then Time Warp Tattoo should be at the top of your list. With a welcoming owner/crew, experienced artists, rad music, and an eclectic atmosphere, you’re in for a rockin’ tattin’ ride!
The weekend after our wedding, my Husband and I planned a little getaway in one of our favorite places in the world, on Lake Superior, of course! We had some fun and relaxing things planned while we stayed at The Pilot House in Bayfield, but one of our top itinerary items was experiencing the awesomeness of Time Warp Tattoo.
My Husband happened upon this awesome place when he was searching for tattoos in Wisconsin for our future tat plans. As luck would have it, there was this fantastical tattoo shop in Ashland; we knew we had to check it out.
The artists and crew at Time Warp Tattoo were incredibly welcoming. From my own experience, some tattoo shops/artists can come off as standoffish and not welcoming, and that was the complete opposite of my time at Time Warp Tattoo.
While my Husband and I were waiting, the Manager of the shop, Jesse Marttinez, took the time to talk to us about our tattoo plans and where we came from. Upon finding out that we were Newlyweds, he took this lovely picture of us (below) and captioned it “The Newly Weds” on Time Warp Tattoo’s Facebook page. Talk about making this a personal experience!
Along with an incredible atmosphere and good vibes, there’s an adorably sweet shop dog named Maya Mia (pictured above) who’s there to greet you and even calm your nerves if you’re feeling a bit antsy.
That feeling of anxiousness is totally understandable and normal when you’re waiting for your tattoo appointment, especially if it’s your first tattoo! So it’s incredibly enduring when you see a furry sweet face like Maya Mia, who will come right up to you and sit down for some nice pets. You know you’re in good tattooing hands when a darling pup like her is around.
Out of the tattoo shops in Wisconsin that we’ve both experienced, it’s pretty easy to say that Time Warp Tattoo is the most unique. The walls are full of fascinating art pieces and interesting signs, and that’s just the sitting area and coffee bar! Oh yes, quick pit stop– did we mention Time Warp Tattoo has a COFFEE BAR? Don’t worry, coffee lovers; we’ll get to that magic bean juice in the section below!
Get a peek inside and watch this short video of our experience at Time Warp Tattoo in October 2023!
Tattoos & Coffee
What I love about Time Warp Tattoo, besides the fact that they have a wicked atmosphere and coffee, is that it isn’t an exclusive environment. Everyone is welcome, and that also goes for folks who just want to stop by for a good ‘ol cup of joe.
You don’t have to get a tattoo to order a tasty drink from their Warp Coffee Bar, and if you prefer water while you’re waiting for your tattoo, they’ve got you covered. Just knowing the option is there, for either or, makes for an even more special experience.
“Tattoo Artists Powered By Coffee”
Warp Coffee Bar
Open Monday-Saturday || 8 AM – 4 PM [or later]
“So thankful to see an ad at the Ashland Movie Theater about Time Warp! We stopped by to get some coffee and think about a tattoo and left with wonderful mother daughter tattoos! Definitely a fun and inviting place to visit with owner/employees that genuinely make you feel welcomed and excited for new ink. Would recommend again😊 Very welcoming to us Iowan girls.”
Payton F, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where is Time Warp Tattoo?
Time Warp Tattoo is located off U.S. 2, down 7th Avenue East, and right on Main Street East. You’ll be sure to spot the cool exterior of Time Warp Tattoo; you’ll have a hard time missing it!
Time Warp Tattoo Address
713 Main St E Ashland, WI 54806
Tattoo Advice
The best tattoo advice I can suggest to someone who’s thinking about getting a tattoo is do not hesitate to speak up/advocate for yourself if you are uncomfortable or have a question.
Having a tattoo done is a serious and intimate experience. It’s a work of art that’s going to be on your body forever, so you have the absolute right and place to ask a question or change your mind. In an interview I conducted on my old podcast, Heigh-Ho Pistachio, with a talented tattoo artist in Salt Lake City, Sam Walker, expressed how unwelcoming some tattoo artists can be, unfortunately. It’s incredibly important to speak up for yourself if you’re feeling uncomfortable or have any questions.
Thankfully, at Time Warp Tattoos, everyone was more than accommodating, welcoming, and open to questions/concerns.
Also, it’s valuable to keep in mind the meaning/reasoning behind your tattoo and what it means to you. It doesn’t have to make sense to others if it makes sense to you, but it’s important to give your tattoo plans deep and thorough thought. Or, if you’re a rascal whose middle name is Spontaneity, you may like the gumball machine that’s at the front of the Time Warp Tattoo shop, where you get a tiny tattoo design instead of a gumball. Take a chance and see what you get!
Tattoo Care After Your Appointment
Caring for yourself and incorporating tattoo care after your appointment is vital to your tattoo experience. You want to make sure that you’re taking proper tattoo care after your appointment is finished so you can preserve that dope piece of art!
Below, I’ll cover the baseline tattoo care after the needles at rest, brought to you by WikiHow. Your tattoo artist will provide you with tattoo care after guidance, but it’s good to also know these steps/tips ahead of time.
Important Tips for Tattoo care after your appointment:
- Your tattoo artist will apply a bandage after your tattoo is finished, and you’re ready to go. It’s essential that you leave this bandage on for the duration that they assign. Typically, it’s for a few hours or overnight.
- After the duration of time has passed that your tattoo artist had given you, you may take the bandage off, wash your hands with anti-bacterial (no scent) soap and gently wash your tattoo with that same soap. Be very gentle because your tattoo is healing and is most likely tender.
- When drying your tattoo after these gentle washes, pat dry; don’t rub!
- Apply a very thin layer of either anti-bacterial ointment or petroleum jelly to the tattoo to help with the healing process.
- Continue the above directions of washing, pat drying, and ointment routine twice a day for at least three weeks to ensure you’re taking the best measures for your tattoo care after your appointment.
- DO NOT submerge your tattoo in water until it is fully healed (showers are okay; be gentle with washing; skip the baths, pools, and hot tubs).
- Your tattoo will naturally scab and flake; this is a part of the healing process; avoid scratching your tattoo.
- If you notice the area around your tattoo feels hot, appears red, or any other abnormal signs immediately visit your doctor for further care.
This may seem like a lot, but it’s an easy process to get in the swing of, and your tattoo artist will walk you through everything about your tattoo care after your appointment. Please remember that it’s more than okay to ask questions and to speak up if you’re feeling uncomfortable.
My husband and I are super duper pleased with how our tattoos from Time Warp Tattoo turned out, and even months later, our tats look fantastic! We know that if we get an itch for a groovy tattoo experience, we’ll rock our way down Main Street East to Time Warp Tattoo.
Out of the tattoo shops in Ashland and the tattoo shops in Wisconsin, I can’t recommend Time Warp Tattoo enough for its welcoming atmosphere, great tattoos, and delicious coffee bar experience. Give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram so you can keep tabs on all the groovy news they have going on, and enjoy your time on Lake Superior!
