WILMINGTON—Axes & Allies, opening soon in the South Front District, will be Wilmington’s first axe-throwing bar.
That’s right: axe-throwing bar.
Located in the former Red Barn Studio, Owner Mia Troy’s new establishment joins Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria, Satellite and several other businesses as part of the growing South Front District. But Axes & Allies is definitely something new for the area.
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The idea is a little like a bowling alley, with lanes replaced with cages lined with cattle fencing along the sides and large wooden targets at the end. Axe-throwers use simple hardware store style axes, throwing them either two-handed or one-handed at the target.
Axe-throwing is certainly not new, but axe-throwing bars have just recently become popular. In 2017 the sport got its own international governing body, the World Axe Throwing League. Troy herself became a new convert after discovering the idea at Bad Axe in Denver, a popular location with weeks-long waiting lists.
Video: Axes & Allies staff practice axe-throwing. Chief “Axe-pert” Nick Williams masters the double throw.
Troy quickly became a fan of axe-throwing, as did her staff.
“This wasn’t like a lifetime passion… but once I heard about it, I knew, oh my god that’s what I’ve got to do,” Troy said. “It’s an amazing stress-reliever. It’s not hard to get the hang of, and doing it is really invigorating.”
Safety first
If you’re mixing alcohol and axe-throwing, people are bound to ask questions; Troy said safety was paramount and hopes to allay concerns.
“Safety first, fun second,” Troy said.
Patrons all sign a waiver. Then they meet with an “axe-pert” before throwing, and are taught how to check behind them and to the sides before throwing.
Author’s note: The world of axe-throwing bars includes a lot of puns. Be prepared to be congratulated on an “axe-cellent” throw, or – at the very least – to be told you’ve “axe-tually” done pretty well for a first-timer. Troy’s initial name for the bar, “Shake that Axe,” is another example. Turns out, the word “axe” lends itself to puns “axe-ceptionally” well.
The bar, which Troy said people “obviously bring up,” is geared towards lighter drinking: no liquor, no “high-octane” beers, and – if necessary – a cap. But, since most customers will only stay for about an hour or so of play, Troy hopes it will remain manageable.
“We’ll put a cap on it if we have to,” Troy said. “But really, you’re here for an hour or so, it’s not like people are doing shots, it’s not that kind of place.”
Setting the bar (on fire)
The bar, notable for its use of Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese style of charred wood finish, will feature around 50 bottles and cans of beer, along with a draft tap. The bar will also serve wine.
According to Nick Williams, the Chief “Axe-pert” and general manager who is assisting Troy with the construction and management of Axes & Allies, there will be a focus on local beers. Williams said the bar is in the early stages of talking with distributors, but he hopes to have some of the locally canned and keg beer on tap.
Troy added, for those concerned, that she’s asked distributors so far for beers under 6 percent alcohol by volume.
Finding a home in Wilmington
Looking for something new, Troy left Vermont and came to check out Wilmington on something of a whim. She says she wasn’t sure she would put down roots here, but was won over by the city’s friendly and welcoming people.
“And I won’t miss the Vermont winter, either,” Troy said.
Troy said she was nervous about springing the axe-throwing bar on people, but that so far the response has been positive.
“When we went to the realtor, yeah, I was nervous,” Troy said. “This can only really go one of two ways – but she was excited … Everyone from the zoning staff to the contractor to the guy who delivers our mail – they’ve all be really excited about it.”
Troy also said she’s found herself welcomed by the South Front District, including her neighbors at Satellite bar. In fact, the look and feel of the area influenced her design for Axes & Allies.
Whereas Troy said many axe-throwing bars have an industrial feel, with chain-link cages and used pallets for targets, “that just wouldn’t be the right fit for Wilmington, or for this area – we needed something a lot nicer.”
Axes for all
Troy said some people she’s talked to definitely consider axe-throwing to be a boys’ club. She wants to dispel that myth.
“It’s not just a dude thing, you know, I think women will find it very empowering — we want to see bachelorette parties in here, break-up parties, everybody,” Troy said.
Troy she’s working on details to make sure there are family-friendly times at Axes & Allies.
“It’s for everyone, almost any age, anybody. We like to say you just need one arm – we’re wheelchair accessible, so, really, anyone,” Troy said.
Opening soon
Troy hopes to open in two to three weeks, by mid-July. She’s still working out specifics, but plans to be open “regular bar hours,” serving until 2 a.m. with axe-throwing stopping by midnight.
The bar will not serve food, but Troy said she’s hopes to host frequent food trucks, and even food truck rodeos, in the future.
Cost to throw axes will be $25 per person, per hour, with a minimum of one hour. Up to eight people per cage can play, including one cage reserved for private groups. Ultimately, Troy hopes to have outdoor cages as well. The cages have been approved by the World Axe Throwing League, so league play will be possible.
Axes & Allies is located at 1122 3rd St. You can find more information at the Facebook page, here.
Editor’s Note: “Ax” and “Axe” are both considered correct spelling, although “Ax” is usually considered more popular in the United States and is preferred by the Associated Press. However, since both the World Axe Throwing League and Axes & Allies uses “Axe,” we have used it in this article for consistency.
Send comments and tips to Benjamin Schachtman at ben@localvoicemedia.com, @pcdben on Twitter, and (910) 538-2001
