Axe-Hurling Venue Lets Patrons Drink And Throw In Gowanus

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — A new spot aims to give wannabe Paul Bunyan's the chance to try their hands at tossing axes while sipping on brews. Kick Axe Throwing opens Friday for people who want to challenge their friends to games similar to darts, except with hatchets.

The business, at 622 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues, trains axe throwers on technique before serving up beer and wine for them to drink between tosses. Children as young as 7 are welcome to try their hand at making the bullseye.

"It’s a new experience, and it’s actually fairly easy," said co-owner Ginger Flesher-Sonnier. "People get addicted to it because it’s literally about momentum. So children, women, people in a wheelchair can throw an axe."

(Nicholas Rizzi/Patch)

While some might think beer and hatchets don't mix, Flesher-Sonnier said the blades aren't sharp enough to cut skin and they have strict rules to make sure everyone keeps their limbs. A team of workers will also be on hand to teach patrons how to toss the axe and make sure nobody overindulges on the libations.

"Safety rules are huge with us," she said. "It's very important that we enforce safety."

The 7,000 square-foot space has 10 ranges with 20 targets, along with a bar with a fireplace and a huge lobby for guests to wait in. The place also has boardgames around for patrons to play in between axe throwing.

Guests can pay $35 per person for groups to rent ranges in advance for an hour-and-a-half and walk-in customers can pay $28 for a shorter time. Kick Axe can accommodate about 120 axes throwers at a time, Flesher-Sonnier said.

Several similar businesses opened in recent years around Canada and in New Jersey, but this will be the first one to open in the city. Aside from the Gowanus space, Kick Axe is working on opening locations in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and more, Flesher-Sonnier said.

"This is hugely popular in Canada and there are tons of these things," she said. "We experienced it and fell in love with it and just wanted to bring it to the United States."

Ginger Flesher-Sonnier, co-owner of Kick Axe Throwing. (Nicholas Rizzi/Patch)

Flesher-Sonnier, who owns several "escape room" venues around the D.C. area where players solve puzzles and riddles to get free, said she was drawn to Brooklyn to open up the first Kick Axe because her daughter lives in the area.

She said Gowanus is a perfect fit for the location because she could rent enough space needed for the lanes and it's near several similar businesses. Kick Axe is on the same block as Brooklyn Fencing Center, Brooklyn Boulders and a short walk from Royal Palms Shuffleboard.

Kick Axe will host an opening reception on Friday, Dec. 15, from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Image credit: Nicholas Rizzi/Patch