{"id":4038,"date":"2022-09-28T20:42:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T03:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/?p=4038"},"modified":"2026-08-30T21:31:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T04:31:39","slug":"the-many-sides-of-mario-barth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/the-many-sides-of-mario-barth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Many Sides of Mario Barth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This article was printed in<\/em>
\nChic Compass Magazine - Issue 12<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The Many Sides of Mario Barth<\/h1>\n

ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM NOVAK<\/p>\n

Sin City\u2019s Resident Rock Star \/ Tattoo Artist \/ Entrepreneur \/ Humanitarian is a Worldwide Powerhouse<\/p>\n<\/div>

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It\u2019s often said that you shouldn\u2019t judge a book by its cover. Take one glance at Mario Barth, and you might assume he\u2019s a real \u201cbad boy.\u201d Well, he is, but not in the way you might think. With his wild mane, beefy arms, multiple tattoos, and biker-chic wardrobe, the Austrian native presents an imposing figure. Nevertheless, you\u2019ll soon realize that Mario Barth has more layers than a Vidalia onion. And he\u2019s probably even sweeter.<\/p>\n

I first met Mario Barth at a lunch meeting to discuss this article. He and his close friend, producer Norbert Aleman (CRAZY GIRLS), were already seated when I arrived. Mario stood up and shook my hand with an imposing grip...and the aura of his presence was palpable.<\/p>\n

Sometimes you can feel the power of a person\u2019s influence just by standing near them. If you happen to meet Barth in person or attend one of his concerts, you\u2019ll understand why he\u2019s a worldwide sensation.<\/p>\n

To many, Barth is known as the \u201cTattoo Artist to the Stars.\u201d His distinctive, boldly-colored style has attracted some of the planet\u2019s best-known entertainers and athletes. Superstars like Sylvester Stallone, Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee, Paris Hilton, Drake, Usher, and Lenny Kravitz adorned their skin with his ink. In that way alone, Mario\u2019s artistry has been seen by millions across the globe.<\/p>\n

The tale of Mario Barth plays much like a superhero origin story. Body art was rare during his youth, mostly relegated to war veterans. Tattoo shops weren\u2019t even permitted in Graz, Barth\u2019s birthplace and Austria\u2019s capital. That made his father\u2019s military ink all the more fascinating.<\/p>\n

Eager to experiment, Mario created his first piece of permanent body art at the age of twelve. The tattoo was of a skull, and his \u201ccanvas\u201d was the back of a young playmate\u2019s hand. As you might imagine, the reaction was less \u201cSpiderman\u201d and more \u201cGreen Goblin.\u201d It would be another five years before Mario returned to the inkwell.<\/p>\n

Driven by a desire to bring his talents into the mainstream, Barth would champion the movement to change laws and make tattoo shops both legal and regulated. Spurred by the reaction to his first attempt, the young entrepreneur reasoned that people would be less inclined to take dangerous risks if safety and comfort were readily available. His efforts became a true movement, and what began in the seventies has exploded into a worldwide empire.<\/p>\n

After successfully opening the first legal tattoo parlor in Graz, the ambitious tattooist came to the States. His art and operation became solidly established in the 1990s in South Beach, Miami, spreading outward to the nation\u2019s four corners. The first \u201cStarlight Tattoo\u201d was opened there and became a go-to destination. Along the way, an insistence on solid business practices allowed Mario to help legalize the procedure across the States and set new standards for an industry previously dismissed as \u201cunderground\u201d and \u201crebellious.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next big step was the regulation of ink production. Once again, Mario set the standards. He created INTENZE, the world leader in tattoo inks and supplies. INTENZE professional-grade products are sterilized, FDA approved, and have never been tested on animals. They are vegan, ethically sourced, and non-chemical. INTENZE inks are manufactured in an ISO-certified facility and undergo rigorous, constant quality control. The result is pigments recognized as the safest in the industry.<\/p>\n

After conquering much of Europe and the States, Mario and company set sights on Las Vegas, aka \u201cAmerica\u2019s playground.\u201d They realized that Sin City lends itself to impulsive, life-altering decisions like quickie-marriages...and badly-done tattoos. What better way to spread its mission statement than making body art available inside major casinos?<\/p>\n

It took two years convincing MGM Resorts corporate suits to give the concept a shot. \u201cStarlight Tattoo Mandalay Bay\u201d opened in February 2008 and was an instant hit. The iconic and easily-recognizable establishment is located next to House of Blues...a brilliant blending of contemporary artistry and a targeted lifestyle demographic.<\/p>\n

One wild success begets another, and soon Mirage Hotel Casino was home to \u201cKing Ink,\u201d a hybrid lounge \/ bar \/ tattoo parlor that eventually transformed into a second Vegas \u201cStarlight Tattoo\u201d within the same resort. Starlight had previously developed a relationship with Mirage thanks to their annual \u201cBiggest Tattoo Show on Earth. \u201c<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Despite a decade of success, \u201cStarlight Tattoo Mirage\u201d fell victim to the pandemic and closed in May 2020. But not even COVID-19 can stop the \u201cKing of Ink.\u201d Barth told CHIC COMPASS that the time might be right for another music \/body-art partnership once Mirage transforms into Hard Rock Hotel.<\/p>\n

Starlight Tattoo remains an integral part of Mandalay Bay\u2019s pulse and vibe. Guests arriving by MGM\u2019s network of trams encounter the body-art parlor before anything else, setting a tone that extends throughout the massive resort. Multiple entrances draw potential customers from both the casino floor and from within House of Blues.<\/p>\n

A stroll through the shop is as much an educational experience as a working studio. Memorabilia from decades of Mario\u2019s professional and humanitarian efforts line the walls, vying for attention alongside meticulously-kept presentations of the INTENZE brand. Visitors are welcome to observe tattooists in action from either the parlor floor or the \u201cfishbowl,\u201d a casino-side viewing area.<\/p>\n

Despite winning over 200 international awards for his enterprises and artistry, Barth felt he had much more to accomplish. His commitment to \u201cdoing the right thing\u201d spread into charitable efforts. He lent his voice to such organizations as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), breast cancer fundraisers, international relations, business education, safety practices, and recognition of military veterans.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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INTENZE eventually moved its world headquarters to Las Vegas, becoming much more than a factory and distribution center. As Mario\u2019s home base, it has expanded into labs, testing facilities, marketing offices, an exhibit of his artwork, and a storage bunker for some extremely prized automobiles. If you\u2019re fortunate enough to get the full tour (as CHIC COMPASS did), you\u2019ll discover a massive rehearsal and music recording facility.<\/p>\n

Throughout my conversations with the facility\u2019s various technicians, artists, and experts, it became clear that the INTENZE team is filled with enthusiastic supporters. Each expressed their admiration for the man in charge, describing his hands-on approach in every step of production. \u201cNothing happens here without Mario\u2019s personal involvement,\u201d one said.<\/p>\n

Another recounted his commitment to cruelty-free, totally pure products. \u201cHe won\u2019t even allow our items to be affiliated with vendors that permit animal testing of any kind. That\u2019s just the kind of guy he is\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Sylvester Stallone\u2019s big screen adventure THE EXPENDABLES features a slightly-fictionalized version of Mario Barth, played by Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke. Perhaps it was his close relationship with entertainment superstars that launched the next dramatic chapter in the Mario Barth saga.<\/p>\n

In 2017, Barth formed ABOUT KINGS, an Austrian-based country rock band with roots in Detroit, Nashville, Croatia, and, of course, Las Vegas. Similar to that humble tattoing start in Austria, ABOUT KINGS rapidly spread throughout Europe, bolstered by the success of their German-language album \u201cGuardian Angel.\u201d Small concerts gave way to crowds exceeding eighty-thousand. And so, ABOUT KINGS headed to Nashville to record the English-language \u201cGo Big or Go Home.\u201d<\/p>\n

As with every Mario Barth project, ABOUT KINGS delivers hard-rocking results with a side of \u201cgiving.\u201d Last year the band made its Vegas debut at Mosaic Theater, joining country stars Tyler Rich and LONESTAR. The showcase provided 200 free tickets to VITALY, a local blood-donation service.<\/p>\n

This summer, the band launched an international tour from Vegas at Hark Rock Live, providing free admission and cocktails to veterans and active military members. From there, it was off to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and of course, Austria, with thousands packing into massive arenas for every performance.<\/p>\n

Now that he\u2019s back home, Barth can focus on another passion project \u2013 The Coalition for Tattoo Safety. This non-profit organization ensures that the industry has unlimited access to education, training, artist-vendor networking, and methods to protect the health and safety of tattoo artists.<\/p>\n

And just like the young man who changed the laws in his homeland, Barth\u2019s Coalition will continue to be an industry watchdog, lobbying for fair legislation and a distinct separation between the medical aspects of tattooing and basic cosmetology.<\/p>\n

Next summer, Planet Hollywood Hotel Casino will be home to the annual \u201cWorld Tattoo and Piercing Trade Show.\u201d One of its sponsors is DRINK\u2019D, the only tattooed-lifestyle bar on the Strip. While there, you might spot owner Mario Barth chatting with pal Criss Angel over some beers in the corner. As cool as that may seem, It\u2019s just another day for the \u201cKing of Ink.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

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It\u2019s often said that you shouldn\u2019t judge a book by its cover. Take one glance at Mario Barth, and you might assume he\u2019s a real \u201cbad boy.\u201d Well, he is, but not in the way you might think. With his wild mane, beefy arms, multiple tattoos, and biker-chic wardrobe, the Austrian native presents an imposing figure. Nevertheless, you\u2019ll soon realize that Mario Barth has more layers than a Vidalia onion. And he\u2019s probably even sweeter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4520,3819],"tags":[3839,3840,3836,3276,3837,3838],"class_list":["post-4038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-issue-12","tag-about-kings","tag-intenze","tag-mario-barth","tag-sam-novak","tag-starlight-tattoo","tag-tattoo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4038","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4038"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4038\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4045,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4038\/revisions\/4045"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4038"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4038"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}