“Utility is awesome,” says Christine Landry, the studio’s in-house body-piercing expert. “We have two of the best tattoo artists in the city, Andy Ferrier and Mike Power.” The staff at Utility also don’t mind random body modification inquiries, about pretty much anything. “Even if you want to come in and ask if it hurts, we don’t mind!” Landry says. Besides being a popular tattoo studio (they see around 100 clients a week for tattoos, piercing and jewellery), they’re also an art gallery exhibiting local artists. And, by the way, the winter is a great time to get a tattoo. No beach and no sun gives the skin time to heal. 5224 Blowers, 420-1348
First runner up: Kara's Urban Day Spa, 5980 Spring Garden, 422-3900
Second runner up: Skin on Skin, 5239 Blowers, 446-6600
