Inked up
LIV NOVOTNY • Unscripted Ink
WORK • Tuesday Routine
LIV NOVOTNY • founder and owner • Unscripted Ink
Neighborhood you work: Lower East Side
Neighborhood you live in: Bushwick
It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Tuesday mornings start with a walk down Freeman Alley, the tucked-away alley off Rivington covered in graffiti and packed with character. At the very end of it, I step through the Untitled Hotel into Unscripted Ink, New York’s first and only tattoo shop inside a hotel. It has a speakeasy feel — a little hidden, but once you’re inside, the energy’s palpable.
As the owner and lead artist, my mornings are about getting the shop ready for the day. I start with the essentials: mopping the floors (cleanliness is everything in tattooing) and making sure all our supplies are stocked. Near our coffee station, there’s always a sign-up sheet where hotel guests can add their names for walk-in tattoos, so I check to see if any spontaneous guests are looking for an appointment. Some people wake up on vacation and just decide they want a tattoo. Those are always fun.
Once the space is prepped, I settle in at my station to work on drawings and stencils for my afternoon clients. This is one of my favorite parts of the day, quiet, creative, and filled with that fresh-start energy before the buzz picks up.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today, I’m diving into a fantasy-inspired full sleeve (think Rivendell from Lord of the Rings, wrapped around an arm). There’ll be cascading waterfalls, ancient castles, and a glowing moon, all woven together to flow with the body’s natural movement. Large-scale pieces like this are my favorite because they feel like world-building. Tattoos are storytelling, and I love creating work that feels both cinematic and personal.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m treating myself to my absolute favorite spot, Masala King on E. 34th St. It’s a family-owned Indian restaurant that never misses. Every dish is packed with rich, complex flavors, and the owners are so welcoming that you feel like you’re dining in someone’s home.
How about a little leisure or culture?
One of my favorite ways to unwind is catching live music. After dinner, I’m heading over to Arlene’s Grocery in the Lower East Side to catch my friend Jules Daud and his band play. Arlene’s is such a staple in the NYC music scene, and there’s something special about seeing live music in an intimate, gritty venue.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I recently picked up some jewelry from ROOME on Grand St., and I’m obsessed. It’s a multi-brand retail space that’s always evolving, so every time you visit, there’s something new and unexpected. I love that feeling of finding a one-of-a-kind piece, something that feels like it has a story. When I do invest in something, I want it to be unique, intentional, and timeless.
What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
Nothing gets me through the brutal NYC winter like a good sauna session. I’m a member of the Chinatown YMCA, which has a great (and super affordable) sauna, but when I want to go all out, World Spa in Brooklyn is next level. It’s especially great if you go with friends — you can easily spend hours hopping between rooms, unwinding, and catching up. I always leave feeling completely recharged.