14 lanes (and a bar) to practice your inner lumberjack 🎯

It’s the axe-plosive trend hitting major downtown districts across the nation: axe-throwing bars. Yep, you read that right. Axes ⛏+ alcohol 🍺. Think: darts, but more ...satisfying?

via GIPHY

While it sometimes feels Columbia is late to the game (still no Chopt?), last week’s announcement that Craft Axe Throwing is coming soon to the Vista at 700 Gervais St. – near Tsunami – is very on-trend.

Forbes profiled the recreational “sport” earlier this year as axe-throwing bars began popping up across major cities like Boston , New York and recently, Charlotte . And here we are in Columbia, getting our own piece of – erhm, axe – before the end of 2018.

How does it work, you axe? Groups of 2-4 throwers per target can compete with the help of trained instructors. You earn points by hitting as close to the bullseye as possible. Anyone age 10+ (players under 18 require a parent/guardian) can throw with no prior experience. Just a guess – “prior experience” probably isn’t too common, so don’t worry if you’re a novice.

Columbia’s 4,000-sqft. facility will feature ~14 throwing lanes. Walk-ins are accepted, but groups of 8+ will require an online reservation . Play will cost ~$20 per hour, per person (10% off for military, police, fire + EMS personnel with valid I.D.).

Craft Axe Columbia is currently seeking a permit to serve craft beers *before* announcing an official opening date.

The best part? You guys seem to be pretty pumped about it. When we announced the news last week, you sounded off on our Instagram post :

“let’s do it! I can certainly say it wouldn’t be my first axe throwing experience 💪🏼...That sounded weird. I mean that in a totally controlled way, lol 😂” –@easy_briesy

“This is AWESOME!! We’ve been to the one in Greenville and we love!!” –@dbraves

“perfect way to throw things to release emotions!!” –@essicashel

“Beer and Axe throwing seems like a bad idea 💡 but what do I know 🤷🏻‍♀️” – @shannonwatson825

“still confused abt this so I’ll just go and drink” –@salliev2

Craft Axe also plans to expand to Charleston + Raleigh in the future. Click here for expansion details.

– Beth + Gray , COLAtoday intern