Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival Benefitting the Richmond SPCA

The Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival will return to the Richmond region this October 20-22 featuring Ink Master winner and judge Ryan Ashley DiCristina. To celebrate, local bars and restaurants have teamed up to celebrate with the second annual Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival Bar Takeover benefiting the Richmond SPCA.

The bar takeover kicks off this weekend and runs through October 20 at the following bars:

• Hatch Local  (400/414 Hull Street)
• Brambly Park (1708 Belleville Street) 
• The Hofheimer (2818 West Broad Street)
• Get Tight Lounge (1104 West Main Street)
• Bingo Beer (2900 West Broad Street)
• Bar West (5811Grove Avenue)
• Neighbor (4023 Macarthur Avenue)

“The Richmond tattoo scene is a huge part of what makes our city so special, says Jordan Hanna, Communication Director of Hatch Local. “At Hatch Local Food Hall, we champion creativity and community, and we feel like this partnership really embodies those ideals. We can’t wait to see what amazing things come out of this year’s festival!”

Each bar will feature three themed cocktails for purchase as part of the takeover: 

• Paw-sibly Purrfect featuring Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and cinnamon demerara syrup. The cocktail name honors the festival’s official nonprofit partner, the Richmond SPCA. 
• Fly Like an Eagle-tini featuring Tito’s vodka, brewed coffee, Cointreau, and simple syrup. The cocktail honors the 2023 Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival mascot, the eagle. 
• The Screw-Up featuring Jack Daniels Whiskey, orange juice, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and Angostura. The cocktail honors the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival host studio Loose Screw Tattoo. 
• Oktoberfest Beer will be available at Bingo Beer as part of the bar takeover, as well.

For every cocktail purchased, the participating restaurants will donate $1 to the Richmond SPCA. Bingo Beer will feature its Oktoberfest Beer as part of the fundraiser with $1 from every Oktoberfest Beer purchase supporting the Richmond SPCA. Cocktail recipes were created by Richmond-based Cocktail Specialist Madelyn Gleeson.

“The festival has been a gathering place for industry professionals for more than 35 years and our local restaurants are those gathering places for us all year round, so we’re excited to partner with each of them to celebrate our community,” says festival co-host Jesse Smith of Loose Screw Tattoo. “We’re also proud to use this opportunity to make a difference in partnership with the Richmond SPCA.”

The bar takeover runs through October 20, the first day of the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival. Dozens of daily attractions include daily tattoo competitions, artisan exhibitors, comedy competitions, kid-friendly activities, the Richmond SPCA’s Kissing Booth, and more fun. 

On Sunday, October 22, the festival will also host a first-time Family & Fur Friendly HallowInk event welcoming guests and artists alike to wear costumes, enter costume contests (pets welcome!) and take photos in the Official Richmond Tattoo & Arts hosted by Sound Snap Photography featuring a special spooky monster from Red Vein Haunt. In addition, $1 from every ticket purchase on Sunday will benefit the Richmond SPCA.  

“We know our tattoo industry friends and all of our clients are enthusiastic about the wellbeing of animals in our community,” said festival co-host Jesse Smith. “We look forward to continuing to support the Richmond SPCA in creative ways now and throughout the big festival weekend.”

The Richmond SPCA is a nonprofit, no-kill humane society that serves more than 18,000 animals annually, including nearly 4,500 pets sheltered at its humane center last year. 

“Teaming up with the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival is a perfect pairing for the community-centered work we do at the Richmond SPCA” said chief executive officer Tamsen Kingry. “Starting with the bar takeover and culminating in HallowInk Day, there are so many opportunities to enjoy this festival that’s bringing uniquely talented artists to our city while supporting local pets and the people who love them.” 

Learn More + Purchase Tickets to the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival.

Learn More About the Richmond SPCA partnership.

See the latest festival announcements on Instagram and Facebook.