Calling all lumberjacks and lumberjills! Get ready to don your red and black flannels and pick up a throwing axe. A 15-lane axe throwing venue and lounge is coming soon to Central Avenue.

Hatchet Hangout will be located at 2360 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The 3,800 square foot building was formerly home to Shamie and Sons Auto Repair before it was purchased by Michael Andoniades for $700,000 in June 2019. Andoniades also owns the Mari Jean Hotel across the street, which is home to Sophia's Cucina + Enoteca and The Saint, as well as the popular Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Pete.

Hatchet Hangout is being brought to the Sunshine City by Andrew Nawoichik, who also owns a variety of other Tampa Bay businesses including Escape Room Clearwater Beach. Nawoichik has commissioned local artists, The Vitale Bros, to paint a mural inside the new space.

For those that haven’t experienced axe throwing yet, I’m sure you have a few questions. So, let’s get everyone on the same page.

First, what is an axe throwing experience? At axe throwing venues, such as Hatchet Hangout, you and your friends will spend 1.5 to 2 hours as you learn, practice, and then take turns throwing an axe at a wooden target with numerous concentric circles, similar to a dartboard. The closer you get to the bullseye, the more points you score.

“Nothing can really prepare you for the thrill of launching an axe end-over-end and watching it slice into a bullseye,” says Nawoichik. “We are hoping people will be looking for something different to do with friends and family. Hatchet Hangout is the most extreme, social, and fun experience around.”

Sounds like a blast! But is it safe? “Yes! Despite what many may think, it’s actually very safe,” says Nawoichik. “We are very strict with our rules and our team of professional Axe Coaches will make sure that everyone is throwing the axes in a safe manner."

Some of the safety measures that Hatchet Hangout will implement include requiring closed toe shoes, using axes that are not sharp to the touch, and limiting the age of participants to 12 years and older. And if the kiddos are having a hard time sticking the axe, there are foam axes available.

Hatchet Hangout will also have a bar and lounge with tables for spectators to enjoy the show. A variety of local craft beers will be on tap, in addition to wine and seltzers. Although Hatchet Hangout won’t serve any food, customers are more than welcome to bring their own food or have it delivered. However, outside drinks are not allowed.

Although walk-ins are welcome, reservations are preferred, so be sure to book online or call ahead. Single-target lanes are recommended for groups of 4 to 6 people for a period of 1 to 2 hours and groups of 7 or more can play side-by-side on adjoining lanes.

As for pricing, a semi-coached session will cost $25 per person (plus taxes and fees) for 60 minutes of axe throwing fun. A fully-coached session starts at $50 per person for 90 minutes, but becomes more economical depending on your group size. Two people cost $45 each, three people cost $40 each, and four or more people cost $35 each.

For the competitive natured, join the league! But don’t worry, this isn’t your grandfather’s bowling league. Hatchet Hangout is a member of the World Axe Throwing League (WATL), which offers standardized scoring systems, points, and throwing techniques.

League play will run on Tuesday nights from 7PM to 9PM for eight weeks. Although the league is limited to 50 players, a new league starts up every season (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The price to join is $120. Sign up at Hatchet Hangout’s website.

Although many people are undoubtedly new to axe throwing, the sport has been around for a few years now. In fact, the first commercial indoor axe throwing venue was brought to life in 2011 by a former bartender, Matt Wilson, who opened the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL) in Toronto after he and his friends started throwing axes in his backyard.

After catching on in Canada, the axe throwing trend has started to gain popularity in the United States. Today, there are hundreds of hatchet hurling venues in the US. The annual WATL championships are even televised on ESPN!

When Hatchet Hangout opens, it’ll be the second venue of its kind in St. Petersburg. In 2018, St. Petians were introduced to the phenomenon when St. Pete Axe and Ale opened inside Ferg’s Sports Bar.

Hatchet Hangout will be located at 2360 Central Avenue and is expected to open in the next few weeks. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for grand opening details and league sign-ups.

You don’t need to have a lumberjack beard to visit, but you may have one by the time you leave!