The tattoo parlor Blut & Eisen (literally, Blood and Iron) opened in 1996 on Alte Schonhauser Strasse in the heart of Mitte, when the name of the shop resembled its surroundings much more than it does today. The proprietary couple, Mario Brendel and Yvonne Ziegler—the former the piercer and the latter the tattoo artist—decided to combine their respective trades in one shop. However, something must have gone awry as Brendel no longer offers his services. Thus, Blut & Eisen now is solely a tattoo parlor, though they continue to sell piercing accoutrements.

Clean, hygenic and friendly, Blut & Eisen has tattooing down to an art. If you are skeptical, check their website, which provides online portfolios for each tattoo specialist.