I tried axe throwing for the first time. What could possibly go wrong? | Pubs

Throwing an axe in a bar might sound like cause for concern, but it has quickly become one of 2024’s hottest activities.

While the wider hospitality industry faces testing times, activity oriented bars, where punters can toss balls, darts and indeed axes, have bucked the trend and experienced soaring demand.

As someone who hesitates to pick up a pool cue for fear I could knock someone over with the wrong turn, I was slightly concerned for those around me when I tried axe throwing for the first time this week.

To see what all the fuss was about, I headed down to Whistle Punks in central London. Shortly after arriving, I was introduced to a team of strangers who I would be facing off against. I contemplated telling them to have 999 on hold should my clumsy tendencies activate but a thorough safety briefing by our instructor, Jordan, put my fears on pause.

The game is similar to darts. There is a bullseye surrounded by rings on a wooden board. The closer your axe is to the centre the more points you rack up.

Jordan showed me the ropes before my first throw. I began with a one-handed shot. I was told to hold the axe straight in front of me with my right hand. Easy enough. I was then instructed to lift it upright before letting it dangle softly, perilously close to my head.

Things could have easily gone south and a raucous cheer from a nearby team almost led to me being an addition to the Guardian’s obituary section. Thankfully, I retained my grip, stepped forward and flung the axe towards the wall. Miraculously, I heard no screams. My axe missed the board and limped on to the rubber floor, but at this point, having sustained no gaping wounds was a win.

I was then shown how to do a two-handed throw. In short, you do your best Jack Torrance impression before lunging forward and dashing your axe at the wall.

As the only solo player, I had to face off against a randomly selected person in my party. Jordan, assuming the role of Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games, studied the list of names to find an unlucky candidate. I heard some murmurs that may have been last rites before a player was chosen.

We stepped into the battle area and were told to tap our axes once for a friendly game or twice for a full-on face-off. We opted for the former option in what I am sure was an act of self-preservation on their part. We stood side by side and each had a board to aim at. Whoever scored the most within five throws would win.

I let my axe dangle once again above me and threw it at the wall. “Three points,” yelled Jordan. Somehow, he was talking about me. My axe had landed on the board.

I went in for another one-handed throw. “Four points,” said Jordan. In those moments, I had a joyous, unfamiliar feeling: sporting glory. My thoughts ran away with me and I felt at one with the axe, pondering the simpler life the humble tool represented.

Perhaps it was time to give up city life, I thought, and live a long and happy life off the land. While fantasising about my off-the-grid future, I laid two hands on the hallowed instrument and went in for my third throw.

As I lifted the axe over my head, I heard a crack. It was my shoulder, which was now feeling the burn. I lunged forward and flung it at the wall. My impressive run had come to a halt. Somehow I had lodged the axe in the wall above the board. 3-4-0 so far.

I reverted to a one-handed throw and managed to hit the board once more. As Jordan read out my score my shoulder cracked again. My life in the sticks fantasy had faded.

I went in for a final throw and, by some miracle, hit the bullseye and won the game. I may have found my calling, I thought, until I tried and failed to raise my arms in victory. Maybe this is why I had never experienced sporting glory before.

After the game, I spoke to Jordan about why the activity is so popular. “We see people treat it as a novelty or as a date-night activity. We have seen a lot of corporate bookings too,” he said.

He said the best kind of sessions were when “people come in with little confidence and they do better than expected”. I count myself among this crowd and, after some recovery time for my shoulder, I will be back.