Highland Park Native Opens Thunderbolt Axe Throwing In Portage Park

PORTAGE PARK, IL — Those bored with bowling, movies, billiards and other locally available pastimes will have a new, rather obscure outlet for fun starting Wednesday in nearby Portage Park.

Thunderbolt Chicago, an indoor ax-throwing venue, opens Wednesday, April 19 at 4842 W. Irving Park near the Road Six Corners shopping district. Thunderbolt will accommodate groups of up to 50 people, catering to birthday parties, work outings and more, company representatives said this week.

"Thunderbolt is the brainchild of Highland Park native Scott Hollander," said a statement from Motion PR, the company's media agency. "Scott jumped on the concept of creating an indoor axe throwing venue in Chicago when he saw the explosion of this sport in Canada. After a few years conceptualizing and implementing his vision, (he) is excited to finally open Thunderbolt’s doors."

Players can participate by paying per-person, per-hour rates. A $15 per-thrower fee buys you one hour on weekdays to throw a one-handed ax at a tricolor bull's eye. The cost is $20 on weekends. All new participants receive a short, instructor-led training session on ax-throwing basics and safety considerations.

The space will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays and at noon on weekends, closing its doors each day at 10 p.m.

"Whether you’re looking to relieve your stress or want to get competitive with your friends, Thunderbolt Chicago is a unique and thrilling form of entertainment," Motion PR reps said.

Images via Thunderbolt Chicago