Kings and Queens Ink Lounge

Kings and Queens Ink Lounge is a tattoo and piercing studio on Brug Street in Triangle Farm, Stikland, in Cape Town's northern suburbs. Most reviews centre on Jody, who is credited with both tattoos and piercings and with calming nervous first-timers. The reviews here are a few years old, and the picture is mixed on communication.

What reviewers liked

• Calming the nerves: Leezonne was terrified before her first tattoo, yet says Jody kept her calm and she enjoyed the whole session.
• Talent and speed: Roxanne describes Jody as fast, kind and very detail-focused, and she came back twice in the same week after her first tattoo. She also thanks Anna for keeping her relaxed and mentions a very clean environment.
• Piercings: Khahliso had most of her piercings done by Jody, including tongue, smiley, belly and a double nose piercing, and reports minimal pain and no problems with any of them.
• Skill: Stephanie, a regular for new work and touch-ups, calls the team's artistic ability outstanding.

Good to know before you book

Getting an appointment may take persistence. Stephanie found it very hard to book and says messages often went unanswered, even while the studio was posting on social media. In an older review, Kelly went in for a piercing, was told stock was out and would arrive that afternoon, and says nobody followed up. It is worth confirming availability and any piercing jewellery before making a trip, and following up yourself if you do not hear back.