Right on Target

Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge hits the spot as a fun place to play and hang out in Southport.

She may not look anything like Paul Bunyan, but Bobbie Reiss can still hurl an axe toward a wooden target and hit the bullseye from 12 feet away. She learned how to do that from Kevin and Briton Hollister, owners of Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge, the new axe throwing business on Howe Street in Southport. They opened on November 4, 2022.

Reiss and members of her Red Hat Society from St. James were Throw Baxe’s very first customers, and they loved it. Part of the appeal for them and for other individuals and groups is that Kevin is a wonderful instructor for both first-time throwers and seasoned players who want to further hone their skills. He emphasizes safety above all else and watches every throw to make sure all safety protocols are being followed.

“We have certified axe throwing coaches; we call them ‘axeperts,’” Kevin says.

Clearly their attention to safety has paid off; they have had no injuries since they opened last July.

Kevin insists that anyone can throw an axe. His youngest customer was five and a half years old. Her mother explained her daughter’s enthusiasm by telling him “She’s in the Viking phase.” And then there was the birthday party for a 76-year-old woman given by her neighbors.

The building can accommodate about 35 people. There are eight axe throwing lanes, four on each side of the of the room. The targets are made of a soft wood and are 48 inches square. The target looks like a very large dart board with a bullseye and five concentric circles. The bullseye is about the size of a soda bottle cap. There are different throwing techniques; some people throw two-handed, and others use only one.

Throw Baxe is registered with the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and holds league competitions every Tuesday evening.

“This is a great place for parties, celebrations, corporate team building exercises and groups that are just looking for something different to do,” Briton says.

Both the axe throwing room and the board game lounge are brightly lit with bold paintings that give each of them a definite party atmosphere with a retro look. The Hollisters emphasize that their business is much more than just axe throwing. They have a board game room with a wall full of both new and vintage board games and puzzles and a well-stocked bar with beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic beverages. They don’t serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own. As Kevin put it, “We want to be the place in Southport to just hang out and have a good time.”

Want to go?
Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge
806 N. Howe Street, Southport
(910) 363-4286
Open seven days a week from 11 am to 11 pm
throwbaxe.com
Reservations may be made ahead of time by calling, but walk-ins are welcome as well.
Cost is $25 per hour or $18 for a half hour. The Early Bird special is 20% off the regular price, and is available from 11 am to 4 pm. For weekly and daily specials check out their website at.