Welcome to

The Dark Essence Tattoo Gallery

MELBOURNE'S BEST TATTOO ARTISTS

Welcome to The Dark Essence Tattoo Gallery, Melbourne’s Premium tattoo studio!

If you’re looking for a high-quality tattoo shop in Melbourne, you’ve come to the right place. Our tattoo parlour offers the best in custom tattoo designs, executed by our team of highly skilled artists. Whether you’re after a small and delicate piece or a full sleeve, we’ve got you covered.

Our tattoo studio in Melbourne is designed to create a comfortable and safe environment for all of our clients. We take pride in our commitment to hygiene and safety, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and employing only the best quality inks and disposable tools.

At The Dark Essence Tattoo Gallery, we understand that a tattoo is a personal and meaningful choice. That’s why we work closely with each of our clients to ensure that their tattoo design is unique and perfectly suited to their individual style and personality.

We welcome walk-ins to our Melbourne tattoo shop, and we are always happy to discuss your ideas and answer any questions you may have about the tattooing process. Whether you are a first-time tattoo client or a seasoned tattoo enthusiast, our friendly and professional team is here to help you create the perfect tattoo.

So if you’re looking for the best tattoo Melbourne has to offer, look no further than The Dark Essence Tattoo Gallery. Book your appointment today and experience the difference that a premium tattoo studio can make.

Black and white tattoo of a woman with glasses on her forearm.

Realism Tattoos

Black and white tattoo of a man with a blindfold.

Black Work Tattoos

moth tattoo on a woman's thigh.

Fine Line Tattoos

Black frame with various items in it.

Flash Tattoos

Meet The Team

We’re proud to be a family-owned business that’s passionate about tattooing and the tattoo community. Our crew is made up of a diverse group of creative individuals, with different nationalities and backgrounds, who all share a common love for the art of tattooing. Whether you’re looking for a traditional tattoo, a custom design, or something in between, our crew is dedicated to providing you with a unique and unforgettable tattoo experience.

What our clients say

We’re dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible experience at our tattoo studio. Your feedback matters!

Claudia C.- Fine Line Tattoo
Read More
I went to Dark Essence and seen Shane; he was amazing and made me feel so comfortable. He took the time to ensure I loved the tattoo and took his time to finalise all the finishing touches making it look amazing. I am so happy with the final result.
Alex- Fine line tattoos, Female tattoos
Read More
This store has to be the coolest athletic tattoo parlour I’ve ever been to! The staff and artists are incredibly lovely and the place is so hygienic and prices are great! So much talent I couldn’t recommend this place enough. I’ve got a few but if you are nervous and wanting your first tattoo I highly recommend going here. No doubt I’ll be revisiting for more soon .
Kristine H.Tattoo
Read More
Came here for my first professional tattoo with Ivan. He was very kind and very professional and I am so happy with the results of the 2 tattoos I got and also a touch up of an old stick and poke. Also there were lots of lollies which were definitely an added bonus. price is reasonable.
Mollie M.Fine Line Tattoo
Read More
Wonderful experience, calm and inviting environment for a first tattoo. Communication was timely and everyone was really nice. Shane did a lovely job with the tattoo and gave great and informed suggestions which made the result turn out better than what I had expected. Thank you
Arren E.Tattoo
Read More
Joe is an amazing artist and the tattoo turned out perfect and couldn’t have asked for any better, great studio and all artists and staff are friendly and welcoming. Will be going back for more
Previous
Next

Guest Artists

We are proud to host some of the greatest tattoo artists from all over the globe here at The Dark Essence. This allows us to always offer you unique experiences.

We have new tattoo artists every month so keep an eye on our instagram or sign up to our newsletter for updates about which artists we have coming!

If you are an artist interested in joining us, email info@thedarkessence.com

Contact Us

Wow, you’re so close to booking your tattoo!

We’re absolutely thrilled and grateful that you’ve trusted us with bringing your vision to life. We promise to give you our absolute best, because your satisfaction is our top priority.

You’re in the hands of Melbourne’s best tattoo artists, so rest assured that you’re in good hands. Thank you again for choosing us and we can’t wait to see your amazing tattoo!

We want to make sure that we can give you the best possible experience when you visit us for your tattoo appointment. That’s why we require a deposit for all bookings, to secure your spot and ensure that we have everything we need to make your vision come to life. We hope you understand that deposits are non-refundable, but we’re happy to work with you to reschedule your appointment with a minimum of 72 hours notice.

If you’re in the area and don’t have a booking yet, we would love for you to come in and see us! We’ll do our best to find a spot for you, so that you can experience the artistry and creativity of our Melbourne-based tattoo artists. Thank you for your understanding and we can’t wait to see you soon!

Follow us on Instagram
Tattoo Flash by @bellawild.tattoo is available now from only $100 (or $80 for the tiny ones)! Check out the highlights on Bella’s page to see more. Get in quick as the offer is only for the first 10 clients who book in. DM Bella or The Dark Essence Tattoo to book!
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoo #tattooflash #melbournetattooflash #melbournetattoostudio #flashdesigns #cutetattooideas #smalltattoos #minimaltattoos #tattooflashmelbourne #finelinetattoo @finelineflashtattoo

Tattoo Flash by @bellawild.tattoo is available now from only $100 (or $80 for the tiny ones)! Check out the highlights on Bella’s page to see more. Get in quick as the offer is only for the first 10 clients who book in. DM Bella or The Dark Essence Tattoo to book!
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoo #tattooflash #melbournetattooflash #melbournetattoostudio #flashdesigns #cutetattooideas #smalltattoos #minimaltattoos #tattooflashmelbourne #finelinetattoo @finelineflashtattoo
...

19 0
Bringing back this Travis Barker sleeve by @andrewsmithtattoo 
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixtattoo #metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #melbournetattoostudio #melbournerichmond #blackandgreyrealismtattoo #blackandredtattoo #travis barker #travisbarkertattoo #scripttattoo

Bringing back this Travis Barker sleeve by @andrewsmithtattoo
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #melbournetattoostudio #melbournerichmond #blackandgreyrealismtattoo #blackandredtattoo #travis barker #travisbarkertattoo #scripttattoo
...

42 0
Full day sticker tattoo session done by our amazing apprentice @fingergunstattoo !! 
Her books are currently open at apprentice rates, send her or us a DM to book in! 
.
.
.
.
.
#tattooapprentice #thedarkessencetattoo #thedarkessencetattoogallery #metrixneedles #patchworktattoo #blackworktattoo #melbournetattooists

Full day sticker tattoo session done by our amazing apprentice @fingergunstattoo !!
Her books are currently open at apprentice rates, send her or us a DM to book in!
.
.
.
.
.
#tattooapprentice #thedarkessencetattoo #thedarkessencetattoogallery #metrixneedles #patchworktattoo #blackworktattoo #melbournetattooists
...

18 1
Witches Sabbath by @kaniaothai.tattoo !! 
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoogallery #metrixneedles #blackworktattoo #boldtattoos #witchytattoo #melbournetattoo #uniquetattoos

Witches Sabbath by @kaniaothai.tattoo !!
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoogallery #metrixneedles #blackworktattoo #boldtattoos #witchytattoo #melbournetattoo #uniquetattoos
...

26 1
Scale by @shanetalaytattoo 
.
.
.
.
@metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #scaletattoo #illustrativetattoo #armtattoo #patchworktattoo #melbournetattooist #melbournetattoostudio

Scale by @shanetalaytattoo
.
.
.
.
@metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #scaletattoo #illustrativetattoo #armtattoo #patchworktattoo #melbournetattooist #melbournetattoostudio
...

14 0
Check out this killer thigh piece by @lauralauralaw 
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo 
#thedarkessencetattoo #trustnoonetattoo #trustnoone #thightattoo #snaketattoo #scripttattoo #melbournetattoostudio #tattooidea #melbournetattooist #tattooreel #tattooreveal #tattoostencil

Check out this killer thigh piece by @lauralauralaw
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo
#thedarkessencetattoo #trustnoonetattoo #trustnoone #thightattoo #snaketattoo #scripttattoo #melbournetattoostudio #tattooidea #melbournetattooist #tattooreel #tattooreveal #tattoostencil
...

36 2
The more you look the more you see…
Incredible work by @mill.younger
DM him directly to book!
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo 
#thedarkessencetattoo #chesttattoo #stomachtattoo #blackandgreyrealism #realismtattoo #melbournetattooist

The more you look the more you see…
Incredible work by @mill.younger
DM him directly to book!
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo
#thedarkessencetattoo #chesttattoo #stomachtattoo #blackandgreyrealism #realismtattoo #melbournetattooist
...

33 1
Check out this awesome Hanya mask done by @andrewsmithtattoo 🔥
Send him a dm if you’re interested in booking your next tattoo with him ! 
.
.
.
.
.
#metrixneedles #thedarkessence #thedarkessencetattoogallery #hanyamasktattoo #colourrealismtattoo #japanesetattoo

Check out this awesome Hanya mask done by @andrewsmithtattoo 🔥
Send him a dm if you’re interested in booking your next tattoo with him !
.
.
.
.
.
#metrixneedles #thedarkessence #thedarkessencetattoogallery #hanyamasktattoo #colourrealismtattoo #japanesetattoo
...

65 1
Hallelujah to Cholula by @bomb_squad_ink 
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo 
#thedarkessencetattoo #thedarkessence #hotsaucetattoo #colourtattoo #tattooreel #tattooswipe #cholula #cholulatattoo

Hallelujah to Cholula by @bomb_squad_ink
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo
#thedarkessencetattoo #thedarkessence #hotsaucetattoo #colourtattoo #tattooreel #tattooswipe #cholula #cholulatattoo
...

19 0
@fingergunstattoo is now available to tattoo! DM us or Han directly to book, apprentice rates apply ⚜️ 
.
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoogallery #thedarkessencetattoo #melbournetattoostudio #tattooapprentice #tattooideas #patchworktattoo #cartattoo #cowboyboottattoo #melbournetattooists

@fingergunstattoo is now available to tattoo! DM us or Han directly to book, apprentice rates apply ⚜️
.
.
.
.
.
.
#thedarkessencetattoogallery #thedarkessencetattoo #melbournetattoostudio #tattooapprentice #tattooideas #patchworktattoo #cartattoo #cowboyboottattoo #melbournetattooists
...

56 3
Dark realism portrait by our amazing apprentice @ben_ink_ !! His books are currently open at apprentice rates, send us a message to book in with him 🔥⚜️ 
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles  #metrixtattoo #tattooapprentice #darkrealism #blackandgreytattoos #melbournetattoo #realismportrait #apprenticerates

Dark realism portrait by our amazing apprentice @ben_ink_ !! His books are currently open at apprentice rates, send us a message to book in with him 🔥⚜️
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles #metrixtattoo #tattooapprentice #darkrealism #blackandgreytattoos #melbournetattoo #realismportrait #apprenticerates
...

48 0
Fine line characters by @shanetalaytattoo 
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #finelinetattoo #japanesecharacters #calligraphytattoo #spinetattoo #upperbacktattoo #finelinetattoo

Fine line characters by @shanetalaytattoo
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #finelinetattoo #japanesecharacters #calligraphytattoo #spinetattoo #upperbacktattoo #finelinetattoo
...

11 0
ONE PIECE tattoo for @rohankeshri by @ivanpeesy_vision 
.
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #onepiecetattoo #luffytattoo #zorotattoo #animetattoo #animesleeve #wantedposter #deadoralive #anime

ONE PIECE tattoo for @rohankeshri by @ivanpeesy_vision
.
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #onepiecetattoo #luffytattoo #zorotattoo #animetattoo #animesleeve #wantedposter #deadoralive #anime
...

38 1
Blackwork butterfly by @kaniaothai.tattoo 
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #butterflytattoo #blackworktattoo #blackwork #upperbacktattoo #lowernecktattoo #melbournetattoostudio #melbournetattooist

Blackwork butterfly by @kaniaothai.tattoo
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #butterflytattoo #blackworktattoo #blackwork #upperbacktattoo #lowernecktattoo #melbournetattoostudio #melbournetattooist
...

18 0
Faith putting her faith in @lauralauralaw for this beautiful cover up piece ⚜️
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixneedles #coveruptattoo #coveruppiece #floralcoverup #flowertattoo #blackandgreyflower #anklettatoo #melbournetattooartist #melbournetattoostudio

Faith putting her faith in @lauralauralaw for this beautiful cover up piece ⚜️
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixneedles #coveruptattoo #coveruppiece #floralcoverup #flowertattoo #blackandgreyflower #anklettatoo #melbournetattooartist #melbournetattoostudio
...

20 0
Perfect sleeve extension by @mill.younger 
.
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles 
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #skulltattoo #handtattoo #handskulltattoo #blackandgreytattoo #realismtattoo #realism #melbournetattooist

Perfect sleeve extension by @mill.younger
.
.
.
.
.
.
@metrixneedles
#thedarkessencetattoo #metrixtattoo #skulltattoo #handtattoo #handskulltattoo #blackandgreytattoo #realismtattoo #realism #melbournetattooist
...

38 0