The Jolly Octopus Tattoos & Piercings is a tattoo and body piercing studio in Bishopdale, Christchurch, now located at 133B Farrington Ave — upstairs, though the team is quick to promise it's totally worth the climb. The pitch is simple: tattoos, piercings and good times, delivered by a crew that wants everyone leaving with a smile on their dial. Walk-ins are always welcome, appointments are fine too, and consultations are free with no obligation.
Steve has been tattooing since 1988, has tattooed all over the world and won a bunch of awards, but what matters most to him is making every single tattoo the best he's ever done — that, and dad jokes. Shank is the next generation carrying the tradition forward, kind and gentle with linework described as crispy as fried chicken. Steve has also been piercing since the early 1990s, and every piercing includes high-quality jewellery, clear aftercare advice and ongoing assistance. Piercings are strictly 16+.
The studio covers Old School and NeoTraditional tattooing, large scale and Japanese work, plus cover-ups and scar hiding, with custom designs and flash off the walls both welcome. Payment is cash or bank deposit (no EFTPOS), and the shop is open 11am to 5pm, seven days a week.
It's a tattoo shop. It looks like a tattoo shop. And that, says the team at The Jolly Octopus, is exactly how it should be — because a tattoo shop is the best place on earth.
Set in Bishopdale, Christchurch, The Jolly Octopus Tattoos & Piercings operates from 133B Farrington Ave. Yes, it's upstairs, but the crew is quick to reassure visitors that it's totally worth the climb. The studio's motto is refreshingly straightforward: Tattoos. Piercings. Good Times.
Walk-ins are always welcome, and appointments are okay too. If you're still shaping an idea, every consult is free, with no obligation — bring your thoughts, talk them through with an artist, and take your time deciding. The tone here is warm and a little cheeky: the team openly says that if you're after AI-generated fluff aimed at search engines, or too-cool-for-you attitudes, they're not the ones for you. If you'd rather be tattooed by solid artists who are also real human beings, dad jokes and all, then — in their words — welcome friend.
Steve has been tattooing since 1988. He's inked clients all over the world and won a bunch of awards along the way, but what genuinely matters to him is simpler than any trophy: making every single tattoo the best he's ever done. That, and dad jokes. He really loves dad jokes.
Shank is the next generation carrying the studio's tradition forward. Don't let the name fool you — she's about as kind and gentle as they come, and her linework is, in the studio's own memorable phrasing, crispy as fried chicken. Between them, the pair also bring deep piercing experience: Steve has been piercing since the early 1990s.
The Jolly Octopus covers plenty of ground stylistically. Old School and NeoTraditional tattooing? They've got you. Large scale or Japanese? You came to the right place. Looking to hide a scar or cover up an old tattoo? Definitely the ones to talk to. Custom designs and flash off the walls are both welcome, and every job gets the same care — from a little bit of script on your wrist to a full sleeve or back piece.
The results speak through regulars. One client has had four tattoos with Steve across 14 years and credits his sense of humour and calming nature. Another tells of a Grim Reaper cover-up so well executed that, once finished, you wouldn't realise it's a cover-up at all — a nod to Steve's aptitude for detail and colour matching. Reviewers describe a studio full of talented, friendly staff who are helpful with creating designs and ideas, and several clients keep coming back for more.
Body piercing here is a proper professional service, not an afterthought. Every piercing includes high-quality body jewellery, clear and easy-to-follow aftercare advice, and ongoing assistance as needed. Ear piercings cover lobes, helix, tragus, rook, daith, orbit and more; body piercings take in nipple, navel, lip and tongue placements; genital piercings are available too. It's strictly 16+.
The studio's expertise even draws people who were pierced elsewhere — one visitor popped in with a piercing that was taking a while to heal and left with quality jewellery, expert advice and the reassurance she needed, noting that the team "know their profession well and won't rip you off." Shank's patience earns similar praise: one client says that knowing what her tattoo meant, Shank allowed her time to breathe throughout.
The Jolly Octopus is open 11am to 5pm, seven days a week. Payment is cash or bank deposit — there's no EFTPOS, so come prepared. When you do drop in, take a regular's advice and ask about the name; it's a story worth hearing, and it sets the tone for a studio where, as they like to say, life is good — but tattooing is better.