Everything you need to plan a great axe throwing group event — from bachelor parties and team building to birthday celebrations and corporate outings.
Beginnerschedule6 min read
Axe throwing is one of the best group activities out there. It's competitive enough to keep everyone engaged, social enough for conversation between throws, and novel enough that even the most jaded team-building veterans will have fun.
Whether you're planning a bachelor party, corporate event, birthday, or just a friend group outing, here's how to make it great.
Choosing a Venue
When evaluating venues for group events, look for:
- Capacity: Can they accommodate your group size? Most venues have 4-6 people per lane, so a group of 20 needs 4-5 lanes.
- Event packages: Do they offer group rates, dedicated event coordinators, and structured activities?
- Food and drinks: Some venues have full bars and food menus; others are BYOB; some don't allow food. This matters for longer events.
- Private booking: For large groups (15+), ask about private lane sections or full-venue buyouts for a more exclusive experience.
- Parking: Especially important for corporate events where people are arriving separately.
Group Sizes and Pricing
Typical group event pricing:
- Small groups (4-8): $25-35 per person for 1-2 hours, often no deposit required
- Medium groups (10-20): $20-30 per person, usually requires a deposit and advance booking
- Large groups (20+): $18-25 per person with group discounts, may require full venue or section rental
- Corporate packages: $30-50 per person, often includes a dedicated host, catering coordination, and custom tournament brackets
Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for groups over 10. Weekend evenings fill up fast.
What's Typically Included
Most group packages include:
- Dedicated lanes for your group's exclusive use
- A trained coach for safety instruction and technique tips
- All equipment (axes, targets)
- Organized games or tournament-style competition
- Score tracking and sometimes a winner's prize
Some premium packages add: custom tournament brackets, team jerseys or bandanas, food and drink packages, photos or videos, and trophies or plaques for the winner.
Making It Competitive and Fun
The best group events have structure. Here's a format that works well:
1. First 20-30 minutes: Free throw practice with coaching. Everyone learns the basics.
2. Round robin: Everyone throws 5-10 axes, scores are tallied. Top half advances.
3. Elimination bracket: Head-to-head matches with the group watching and cheering.
4. Championship: Final two compete in a best-of-5 for bragging rights.
Add fun elements: nicknames for each thrower, a "worst throw" award, team challenges, or trick-shot rounds. The social atmosphere is what makes group axe throwing memorable, not just the competition.
lightbulbPro Tips
check_circleBook a 2-hour block minimum for groups over 8 — 1 hour goes fast once you factor in instruction time
check_circleAsk the venue about bringing a cake or decorations for birthdays — many are very accommodating
check_circleAssign teams in advance for corporate events to mix departments and encourage cross-team bonding
check_circleArrive 15 minutes early to handle waivers before your session starts — nothing kills momentum like paperwork
check_circleTip your coach — they're making the event run smoothly and keeping everyone safe
helpFrequently Asked Questions
Is axe throwing good for team building?
Excellent. It's physical but not athletic (everyone can participate), competitive but lighthearted, and requires people to encourage and coach each other. It also gets people away from screens and into a shared, novel experience — which is what effective team building is about.
Can we bring alcohol?
Policies vary by venue. Some serve beer and cocktails, some are BYOB, and some are dry. Most venues that serve alcohol have a drink limit policy (typically 2 drinks before/during throwing, unlimited after). Always check the venue's policy when booking.
What if someone in our group doesn't want to throw?
That's totally fine. Most venues welcome spectators at no charge. Non-throwers can watch, keep score, take photos, and enjoy the social atmosphere. Many people who start as spectators end up throwing by the end of the night.
Ready to throw?
Find an axe throwing venue near you and book your first lane.