New bar: F.Engrave: Tattoo & Lounge

By: Sky Gidge

What’s a small tattoo studio to do when it wants to be… more? One shop’s answer: move across town and add a bar. Throw in some tables, chairs, a modest stage with amps – for Friday night’s open mic – and call it F.Engrave: Tattoo & Lounge, Shenzhen University area’s newest bar.

Climb F. Engrave’s clangy metal stairs to their second floor tattoo parlor where San Fan, the co-owner and resident tattoo artist, creates his work. Framed sketches hang on the wall attesting to his skill. Tattoos are priced by the hour (RMB1500) or by the individual work. 

“This is more like a studio exhibition room than a bar,” says the other owner, Andy. “We want to make this a place where any type of artist can show their work.” Later, he shows us a back wall where we view several local painters’ art.

Though not the major focus, the bar’s simple menu covers its bases. On draft, F. Engrave has Vedette Extra White (RMB35) and Vedette IPA (RMB40) along with the usual pints of Tiger (RMB20). The Long Island iced tea (RMB55) - a generous pour – tops out the cocktail price list, including other classics such as the pina colada and tequila sunrise (both RMB45). 

All of the bar’s artistic ambition and even their decor –dream catchers hanging from the mic stands, a suit of handmade samurai armor leans against the wall – indicate it isn’t a place business types come after a day at the office. Rowdy painters, inked up Shenzheners and curious college students cruise in more readily than the young professional crowd. Well, them and anyone else wanting to use a Wi-Fi connection with built-in VPN.

But we had to know: isn’t combining a bar with a tattoo parlor a bit risky? What if someone has a few drinks and decides they really do want ’Mom’ with a heart tattooed on their bicep? 

“That’s not going to happen,” says Andy. “Tattoos are by appointment only.”

Price: Approx. RMB70 for a healthy buzz

Who’s going: Artsy types, college kids, music lovers

Good for: Tattoos, generous bartenders, open mics 

// The address, see listings.