Monday Mashups: Get Ax-cited

A business dedicated to ax-throwing and drinking beer sounds like something you’d find in a remote Midwestern town, a rural curiosity run by guys who look like Paul Bunyan. But ax-throwing venues are a growing trend, and the Boston area will soon have two of them. That's right...get ax-cited!

One of the places arriving in the area, Urban Axes, is part of a larger chain based in Philadelphia that has plans to open in Somerville’s Union Square sometime this summer. This unique establishment will have a capacity of 80 to 100 people and will be less focused on the bar aspect and more on the ax throwing, with three to four arenas, each holding four targets.

The other business, Revolution Axe, is an independent company run by four locals who intend to debut in Everett in April. Chris Greeno and fellow co-founders Dan Doran, Greg DiLullo, and Tom Vieth first became interested in an ax-throwing venture after visiting a few of them over the border in Toronto and Montreal.

When the four founders began looking for a location, they quickly focused on an area of Everett often referred to as the Fermentation District, a stretch of businesses that includes Night Shift Brewing, Bone Up Brewing, and Short Path Distillery. Revolution Axe plans to set up shop next door to indoor trampoline park Sky Zone and rock climbing gym MetroRock. With so many activities in one area, you can surely have yourself a Sunday Funday on this happening block.

Like Urban Axes, most of the space at Revolution Axe will be devoted to ax throwing — there will be five bays, each with two targets and space at the end of each bay where friends can watch — beer and wine will be served once the company lands a liquor license. You may have become concerned when you read “ax-throwing” and “beer” in the same sentence. Not to worry, both companies have strict safety precautions in place to ensure attendees are out of harms way.

Anyone interested in throwing axes at either establishment will go through training, proper technique and review the rules of the game. For newbies, it often takes a few throws before the axe actually sticks! A staff person will remain with the axe throwers throughout their entire experience. No one is ever allowed to throw axes unsupervised, no matter how many times they may have thrown before.

Whether it's date night or you're planning a company outing, this ax-citing new activity will create a lasting impression. Check out Urban Axes and Revolution Axe for more information and follow their social media accounts for updates on when you can devour the details of all the ax-tion!