Tattoo: (From the Polynesian word “tatau” or “to tap”)

1: An indelible method of decorating the skin by inserting colored pigments under its surface.

Traditional Polynesian tattooists tap a needle with a small hammer, while the Japanese work with bundles of needles set in wooden handles. Tattoos have been a part of cultures from around the world for more than 10,000 years. They have served as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, signs of religious beliefs and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, protection, sexual lures, declarations of love, and as marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. Tattooing was also used by the Nazi regime in concentration camps to tag prisoners during the Holocaust. Sailors were known to tattoo the crucifixion on their backs to prevent a flogging. In ancient Egypt, it has long been assumed that tattoos on the women were the mark of prostitutes. It might have meant protection against sexually transmitted diseases. But another theory suggests that the tattoo had a therapeutic role and functioned as a permanent form of an amulet during the difficult time of pregnancy and birth. In the West, the electric tattoo machine has revolutionized tattooing, expanding the ease of application and the range of colors and designs. Tattoos are more popular now than at any time in recorded history. Current estimates have one in seven or over 40 million people in North America who have at least one tattoo. Pop culture has had an impact, with television shows such as Inked, and LA Ink. The decoration of blues singer Janis Joplin with a wristlet and a small heart on her left breast has been called the beginning of the popular acceptance of tattoos as art.

This month’s INKED spotlight highlights some of the popular shops located in the Vegas Casinos. See if you can find the tattoo shop that is right for your personality—where to get INKED in a Vegas Casino.

King Ink
Mirage Hotel and Casino
The baroque Austrian castle-inspired décor comes from frescoes created by Mario Barth from actual tattoos inked by him over the past thirty years. This new parlor/lounge has a truly unique ambiance and flair, designed with a bar/lounge where you can mingle with fellow inked friends and celebs before and after the needle. The artists working there are all heavily tattooed. “It’s really our industry, our lifestyle” claims Barth. They have a new program that is titled Tattoo Explorer, and it’s linked to a worldwide database of designs. Barth explains that you can go in and say ‘I would like to have an ankh,’ and it pulls up an ankh, showing you the different styles of it, while it also explains its historic meaning. 11am-2am daily, Bar: 11am-4am daily

Vince Neil Ink
—O’Sheas Casino
Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil now has two locations in Vegas: his first grand opening was this tattoo parlor in 2006. In the 1,230 square foot shop, they have a tattoo room facing the Las Vegas Strip, so if you’re an exhibitionist, you might enjoy getting tattooed here. They have three public rooms and one VIP room to get inked in and the shop is decorated with an 18-foot custom leather chopper and lots of other Mötley Crüe memorabilia. Neil’s “Tattoo Crue” consists of Dano, Brett, Jeromy, Jason, Mark, Erika, Kris, and Matt. 11am-4am daily

Vince Neil Ink
—Rio Casino
Singer Vince Neil partnered up with Counts Kustoms for the second location of Vince Neil Ink at the Rio. Custom motorcycles, rock ‘n roll and tattoos all come together here, creating a “Bad to the Bone” atmosphere. This new shop has five tattoo booths and exclusive Vince Neil memorabilia. Vince’s new solo album “Tattoos and Tequila” is due to be released this June. Neil claims this album has nothing to do with Mötley Crüe, but is basically “his life”. 11am-2am daily

Hart & Huntington Tattoo CoMPANY
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Owned by Carey Hart, this is one of Las Vegas’ hottest tattoo parlors. The TV show INKED has featured Hart and his world-renowned artists that work at his shop. People flock to the Hard Rock to use these talented artists. INKED takes a real-life look at freestyle motocross champ Carey Hart and introduces an original band of tattoo-culture characters, as Hart caters to his celebrity VIP clientele. His artists are Blanco, Dizzle, Jime, Emiliano, Jason, Mike and Tee. 11am-2am daily

Club Tattoo
Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops
Club Tattoo is owned by Sean and Thora Dowdell and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. Club Tattoo has become world-renowned for its artistry and professionalism, with very talented artists and body piercers. Their artists have won over 150 international awards and have been featured in over 40 publications distributed worldwide. Sean has created a new form of microdermals with the help of Metal Mafia. It has maximum strength and durability, and a special contour for easy insertion, which he claims are the best on the market. Club Tattoo also holds claim to having the largest collection of body jewelry in the United States and continues to add to it daily. Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm and Fri-Sat 10am-Midnight

Starlight Tattoo
Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
Starlight Tattoo was Mario Barth’s first grand opening in Vegas at Mandalay Bay in 2008. Winning hundreds of tattooing awards, Barth hoped that the tattoo-culture would be made mainstream here in Vegas, and it appears it has. There are three different styles of tattooing being offered: traditional handtool Japanese, traditional handtool Samoan and the modern techniques of Western-style. You can make appointments with renowned artists at Starlight, like Barth himself (who has inked Lenny Kravitz, Ja Rule and Pamela Anderson), as well as with Japanese Master Hori Toshi I and Samoan Master Sulu’ Ape Pili Mo’o. Barth started The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth, hosted at the Mandalay Bay, and last year they had record numbers with over 40,000 attendees. 10am-2am daily

Huntington Ink
Palms Casino Resort
The orange and gold palette of this new high-end tattoo lounge reflects Huntington’s love for the Asian culture and his martial arts background in Jujitsu. The lounge features dramatic lighting and water features, along with dj booth and state-of-the-art sound, and takes the casino tattoo experience to the next level. Flash and previous work of tattoo artists can be seen on an interactive wall of touch screens. Huntington is a top national Nightclub Promoter and his “Pimp ‘n Ho” and “Summer of Love” parties have been featured on “E” Channel. Sun-Wed 9am-12am and Thurs-Sat 9am-4am

Coming Next month: Where to get INKED Local Hot Spots SLV

Issue 48 featuring: Cali Logan, Tori Black & Monique Alexander and Lux Kassidy