WHAT: Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing
WHERE: 53 Eastcastle St, London W1W 8ED
PRICE: £29-£36
OUR RATING: Do It!
Looking for your next competitive sport group night out? We stretched our wrists, warmed up our arms, donned our flannels (well, not really) and headed out with a large group to Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing in London, and we’re here to report on this fun and high energy night out.
One’s mind usually jumps to lumberjacks out in the woods when thinking about axe throwing, but as a sport it started in Europe after the millennium, and became more popular around 2006. The first commercial axe throwing venues opened in 2016 in the UK and Poland, and before our visit here in London we’ve heard it being a super popular group activity in the USA as well.
The rules are quite simple: throw a small axe towards a target board, and while no prior experience or special athletic ability is required, there is definitely a method and strategy to throwing an axe successfully.
With other locations in Bristol, Manchester and Leeds, Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing provides a down-to-earth rough and ready night out, with its fun mix of corrugated metal and wooden decor. Upon first arriving we wondered if we were even in the right place, as it’s a little difficult to find. Once inside it’s a simple venue, but with its many lanes and targets which each allow for up to 10 players, it’s definitely a busy and energetic space.
Stocking up on food and drinks, we were then provided training from instructors who showed us a few strategies on how to score a bullseye, and these staff were always on hand to offer advice on bettering our throws, and, perhaps even more importantly, how to do so safely. Not only did we compete against the others in our group, but there was also a winner-takes-all tournament between all the lanes, with prizes including t-shirts and gift cards, and even an opportunity to join a hall of fame wall with your own tree ring, so there was an amazing meld of camaraderie and competition!
Final Thoughts: This seems the perfect place to bring a group of friends, and while there was a lot of downtime while waiting for another turn to throw, there was always something to do, whether enjoying the food and drink on offer or watching fellow players and seeing what their strategies and methods were for a successful throw (and those that weren’t), and what tricks were possible with a single hatchet. It’s also a decent amount of time for an event, which approximately 70-minute slots on offer. This may not be our favourite competitive sport of choice, but we’d go back – there’s a definite thrill in throwing an axe, and a unique way to go about stress relief!
