Axe Throwing in Burlington, VT: Craft Beer, College Town Energy, and Vermont's First Throwing Venue (2026 Guide)

Burlington is the smallest largest city in America. Vermont's most populous municipality has roughly 45,000 people, a world-class food and drink scene, Lake Champlain stretching out to the west, and the kind of community-first mentality that makes independent businesses thrive. It is also home to Vermont's original axe throwing venue.

BurlyAxe Throwing opened as Vermont's first dedicated axe throwing operation and has held its ground ever since. In a state that values local, independently owned, and a little rugged, axe throwing fits like a well-worn flannel.

BurlyAxe Throwing -- Vermont's Pioneer

BurlyAxe sits at 294 N Winooski Ave, in Burlington's Old North End neighborhood. The address puts it squarely in the middle of the city -- walkable from Church Street Marketplace, the University of Vermont campus, and the Waterfront. For a venue in a small city, the location could not be better.

The numbers back up the reputation. A 4.8-star Google rating across 213 reviews places BurlyAxe among the top-rated axe throwing venues in New England. Of those 213 reviews, 194 are five stars. The consistency is remarkable for a venue that has been operating long enough to accumulate that kind of volume.

The Setup: Six lanes with two targets each, giving BurlyAxe capacity for groups without feeling overcrowded. The lane count is right-sized for Burlington -- large enough for corporate outings and birthday parties, intimate enough that you are not shouting over the noise of a 30-lane warehouse.

The Staff: BurlyAxe employs IATF-qualified coaches they call "AXEperts." Every session starts with instruction, and the staff stays engaged throughout. Whether you have never held an axe or you are a league regular working on your clutch shot, the coaching adapts. That approach shows in the reviews -- first-timers and repeat visitors alike rate the experience highly.

Hours:

• Monday: 4 PM -- 11 PM
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday through Friday: 4 PM -- 11 PM
• Saturday: 12 PM -- 11 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM -- 8 PM

The late closing time on weekdays and Saturdays matters. Burlington's bar scene runs strong, and BurlyAxe's 11 PM close means you can start a session at 9 PM and still get a full experience. Sunday's earlier close respects the slower pace of a Vermont weekend.

Drinks at the Lane

This is where BurlyAxe earns its Burlington credentials. The venue serves beer, wine, mead, and cider -- a drink selection that could only exist in Vermont. No hard liquor, but when you are in a state that produces some of the country's best craft beer, mead, and cider, that limitation is not really a limitation.

Throwing axes with a local IPA in hand is the kind of experience that captures what Burlington does well -- social, physical, unpretentious, and supported by great local products. The bar transforms BurlyAxe from a pure activity venue into a place where people actually hang out.

For more venues that combine throwing with drinks, check our axe throwing with bar directory.

League Nights

BurlyAxe runs organized league play:

• Monday: 6 PM -- 8 PM
• Wednesday: 7 PM -- 9 PM

League play is where casual throwers become regulars. Burlington's tight-knit community makes league nights social events as much as competitive ones. If you live in the area and enjoy your first session, leagues are the natural next step. Read our axe throwing leagues guide for what to expect.

Student Discount

Burlington is a college town through and through. UVM, Champlain College, and Saint Michael's College fill the city with students, and BurlyAxe has responded accordingly. Use code burlyaxe101 on Thursdays for 25% off with a valid student ID.

That discount makes Thursday nights the best value play for the college crowd. A group of four can throw for under $25 each -- cheaper than most downtown bar tabs and infinitely more memorable.

Who BurlyAxe Is For

Date night: BurlyAxe's combination of activity, drinks, and manageable group size makes it one of Burlington's better date spots. You are doing something together rather than sitting across a table, and the competitive element keeps conversation flowing naturally. Walk to dinner on Church Street after. Read our date night guide.

Friend groups: The six-lane setup handles groups of 10-12 comfortably. Birthday parties, reunions, or just a Saturday afternoon with no plan beyond "throw axes and drink cider." See our party planning ideas.

Corporate events: Burlington's business community skews creative -- tech startups, outdoor industry companies, nonprofits. BurlyAxe is a team-building option that actually gets people out from behind their desks. Our corporate team building guide covers the logistics.

Tourists: If you are visiting Burlington for a weekend -- maybe coming from Montreal, Boston, or the Adirondacks -- BurlyAxe is a tight, distinctive activity that shows off the city's personality. It is not something you will find at every tourist destination, and the craft drink menu reinforces the Vermont experience.

Burlington Beyond the Axes

Half the appeal of axe throwing in Burlington is what surrounds it. The city packs an outsized amount of culture, food, and natural beauty into a small footprint.

Church Street Marketplace: Burlington's pedestrian-only downtown stretch is four blocks of restaurants, shops, and street performers. Five minutes from BurlyAxe. Grab dinner at Hen of the Wood (one of the best restaurants in the Northeast), American Flatbread (wood-fired pizza and local beer), or Leunig's Bistro (French cafe energy on a Vermont street).

The Waterfront: Lake Champlain's Burlington waterfront has bike paths, parks, and sunset views that make you forget you are in the smallest state capital metro in the country. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is worth a visit, especially with kids.

Breweries: Vermont punches absurdly above its weight in craft beer. Foam Brewers on the waterfront produces some of the most sought-after IPAs in the country. Zero Gravity on Pine Street brews excellent lagers and ales. Burlington Beer Company in Williston (15 minutes out) is another powerhouse. After axe throwing, you are spoiled for choice.

Outdoor recreation: Burlington sits between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. In summer, the lake offers sailing, paddleboarding, and swimming at North Beach. In winter, Stowe and Smugglers' Notch ski resorts are under an hour away. Axe throwing fits into an outdoor-oriented visit as the indoor complement to whatever you are doing outside.

Beyond Burlington: Fortress of Fun

If you are exploring wider Vermont, Fortress of Fun in Center Rutland (about 45 minutes south on US-7) offers axe throwing alongside arcade games and bounce houses. The venue carries a 4.7-star rating across 134 Google reviews and operates Friday through Sunday.

Fortress of Fun is women-owned and caters to families -- it is a different experience than BurlyAxe's bar-and-lanes atmosphere. If you are traveling through central Vermont with kids, it is a strong option. The combination of axe throwing, arcade games, and bounce houses gives families enough to fill an afternoon.

Fortress of Fun Hours:

• Friday and Saturday: 11 AM -- 7 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM -- 6 PM

Getting to Burlington

From Montreal: 90 minutes south on I-89. Burlington is the closest US city of any size to Montreal, and the cross-border traffic is constant. Bring your passport and your throwing arm.

From Boston: About 3.5 hours via I-89 through New Hampshire and central Vermont. Far enough for a weekend trip, close enough for a long day trip.

From the Adirondacks: The Lake Champlain ferries from Port Kent or Plattsburgh, NY put you in Burlington or its northern suburbs. The ferry ride itself is scenic -- arrive by water, throw axes, take the ferry back.

Burlington International Airport (BTV): Small but well-connected, with direct flights to several East Coast hubs. The airport is 10 minutes from downtown. Vermont's size means you are never far from anything.

Pricing

BurlyAxe charges approximately $35--$45 per person for a one-hour session including instruction and equipment. Group packages and event pricing are available through their website.

The Thursday student discount (25% off with code burlyaxe101) brings the price into the mid-$20s range -- competitive with or cheaper than most entertainment options in Burlington.

For national pricing context, check our axe throwing cost guide.

FAQ

Is BurlyAxe the only axe throwing in Burlington?

Yes. BurlyAxe Throwing is currently Burlington's sole dedicated axe throwing venue and was Vermont's first. Fortress of Fun in Center Rutland is the next closest option, about 45 minutes south.

Can I drink while throwing?

Yes. BurlyAxe serves beer, wine, mead, and cider. Vermont's craft drink scene is strong, and the venue takes advantage of it. Responsible service rules apply.

Do I need a reservation?

Strongly recommended, especially for weekend sessions and groups. Walk-ins may be available on slower weekday evenings, but booking ahead ensures your spot.

Is BurlyAxe good for beginners?

Excellent. Their IATF-qualified coaches provide thorough instruction, and the 4.8-star rating reflects consistently positive first-timer experiences. Our beginner's guide covers what to expect.

What is the minimum age?

Check directly with BurlyAxe for their current age policy. For general guidance on kids and axe throwing, read our kids guide.

Does BurlyAxe have league play?

Yes -- Monday nights (6-8 PM) and Wednesday nights (7-9 PM). Leagues are open to all skill levels and are a great way to become a regular.

The Vermont Throw

Burlington does not have ten axe throwing venues competing for attention. It has one excellent one that reflects everything the city is about -- locally owned, community-oriented, paired with craft drinks, and run by people who clearly care about the experience they deliver. In a state that builds its identity around doing things the right way rather than the big way, BurlyAxe fits perfectly.

Browse axe throwing venues in Burlington

Explore more New England axe throwing in our Boston guide and Connecticut guide, or search the full directory to find venues anywhere in the country.