Best Axe Throwing in Kansas City, MO (2026 Guide)

Kansas City is where Blade & Timber was born. Co-founders Matt Baysinger and Ryan Henrich opened their first axe throwing venue in the West Bottoms in November 2017, and the brand has since expanded to multiple states. That hometown pedigree matters -- when a city is the origin point for a national axe throwing brand, you get a flagship venue that operates with something to prove.

Today the KC metro has two standout axe throwing venues on opposite sides of the state line: Blade & Timber's Power & Light District location in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and Bury The Hatchet in Overland Park, Kansas. Together they cover everything from craft cocktails to BYOB, 90-minute sessions to two-hour blocks, and date-night polish to party-sized groups.

Blade & Timber -- Power & Light District

Blade & Timber's flagship at 1303 Baltimore Ave sits inside the Power & Light District, Kansas City's central entertainment hub. This is not a converted warehouse on an industrial block -- it is embedded in the same district as bars, restaurants, and the Sprint Center (now T-Mobile Center). You can throw axes and walk to dinner without moving your car.

The setup: 13 axe throwing lanes plus a private party room. Each session runs 90 minutes with an Axe Safety-certified coach assigned to your group. Coaches cover grip, stance, rotation, and release before you throw, then stay on the lane to coach throughout. There are also dart boards if you want variety during your session.

The Whetstone Bar: This is where Blade & Timber separates itself from most axe throwing venues in the country. The bar program features signature cocktails, local Kansas City craft beers, and a curated spirits list. The food menu -- developed by James Beard Award semifinalist Taylor Petrehn -- goes well beyond typical bar snacks. Shareables and entrees designed to pair with the social experience, not just fill a hunger gap.

Pricing: $35 per person with a minimum of 2 per lane, plus a $5 booking fee and 3% facilities fee. Walk-ins accepted on a first-come basis, but booking ahead is strongly recommended for weekends. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday, 4-6 PM.

Hours: Monday-Wednesday 4-9 PM, Thursday 4-10 PM, Friday 2-11 PM, Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday noon-8 PM.

Age requirement: 10+ to throw, with adult supervision for minors.

Best for: Date nights, downtown pre-game before concerts or sporting events, corporate outings that want a polished venue, friend groups who appreciate good food and cocktails alongside their activity.

Bury The Hatchet -- Overland Park

Across the state line in Overland Park, Kansas, Bury The Hatchet takes a different approach. At 7,200 square feet with capacity for 200 people, this is a venue built for volume -- birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette groups, corporate team building, and weekend warriors who want a longer, more relaxed session.

The experience: Two-hour sessions with trained coaches. The extra 30 minutes over Blade & Timber's 90-minute format gives groups more breathing room, especially larger parties that need time for everyone to rotate through. Coaches teach technique and run competitions within your group.

BYOB policy: Bury The Hatchet allows you to bring your own beer and wine (no hard liquor). For groups planning a party, this is a significant cost advantage -- you control the drink selection and budget instead of paying bar prices.

The numbers: 5.0 stars on Google with over 3,400 reviews. That is one of the highest-rated axe throwing venues in the entire country, and maintaining a perfect score at that review volume is exceptional. Staff friendliness and coaching quality dominate the reviews.

Pricing: $42 per person for a two-hour session. Group packages available for larger events. Check their website for current specials and Groupon deals.

Best for: Larger groups (seats 100, holds 200), birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, budget-conscious groups who want BYOB, families with older kids, corporate team building.

KC Metro -- Two States, Two Styles

The Kansas City metro straddles Missouri and Kansas, and having a venue on each side gives you genuine choice based on what you want from the experience:

The Outdoor Option -- Go Ape in Swope Park

For something completely different, Go Ape in Swope Park offers outdoor axe throwing as part of their adventure park. One-hour axe throwing sessions in a wooded setting -- plus ziplining, ropes courses, and an outdoor escape room if you want a full day of activities.

This is not a dedicated axe throwing venue in the same way that Blade & Timber or Bury The Hatchet are. The axe throwing is one activity among several. But if you want to throw axes outdoors in a park setting rather than inside a building, Go Ape is the only option in the KC metro. For more on outdoor vs. indoor formats, see our comparison guide.

Where KC's Axe Scene Fits Nationally

Kansas City punches above its weight for a metro of 2.2 million people. Having the Blade & Timber flagship -- the original brand's hometown location -- gives KC a venue with more refinement and ambition than most cities get. The food program alone sets it apart from 95% of axe throwing venues in the US.

Add Bury The Hatchet's perfect Google rating and massive review count, and KC has both quality and variety. Compare that to similarly-sized metros like Cincinnati or Milwaukee -- KC holds its own.

The two-state metro dynamic also means you are choosing between distinct experiences rather than picking between similar venues in the same neighborhood. Downtown polish or suburban party space. Full bar or BYOB. 90 minutes or two hours. That is a genuine decision, not a default.

Building Your Evening

Downtown KC route: Book Blade & Timber for a 6 PM or 7 PM session. Throw axes, eat at the venue (the food justifies it), then walk the Power & Light District for post-session drinks. If there is a game or concert at T-Mobile Center, the whole evening is walkable.

Crossroads Arts District pairing: Blade & Timber is a short drive from the Crossroads, KC's gallery and brewery district. First Fridays (first Friday of each month) bring open galleries, food trucks, and street activity. Book an early session at Blade & Timber, then head to Crossroads for the evening.

Overland Park route: Session at Bury The Hatchet, then hit the restaurants along 135th Street or head to Downtown Overland Park for a more intimate dining scene. The BYOB format means your drink budget is already handled -- put the savings toward a nice dinner.

BBQ pairing: This is Kansas City. You are not leaving without barbecue. Joe's Kansas City (originally Oklahoma Joe's) in the Shamrock gas station is a 15-minute drive from either venue. Q39 is closer to downtown. Jack Stack is near the Power & Light District. Plan your session around a BBQ stop and you have the most Kansas City evening possible.

Practical Details

Reservations: Both venues strongly recommend booking online, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. Walk-ins at Blade & Timber are possible during weekday afternoons. Bury The Hatchet's group-heavy model means weekends fill fast. Browse venues with online booking for easy scheduling.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes required at both venues. Comfortable clothing with full arm range of motion. No loose scarves or jewelry. Full details in our what to wear guide.

Parking: Blade & Timber has Power & Light District parking garages nearby. Bury The Hatchet has its own lot with plenty of space. Neither venue has a parking problem.

First-timers: Both venues assume you have never thrown an axe before. Coaching is included. Most first-time throwers are sticking axes within 15-20 minutes. Read our beginner's guide for what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does axe throwing cost in Kansas City?

Blade & Timber is $35/person for 90 minutes plus fees. Bury The Hatchet is $42/person for 2 hours. For national pricing context, see our cost guide.

Can you drink while axe throwing in KC?

Yes. Blade & Timber has a full bar with cocktails, craft beer, and wine. Bury The Hatchet is BYOB (beer and wine only). Both venues have responsible service policies. Find more venues with bars.

Is Blade & Timber the original location?

The original Blade & Timber opened in the West Bottoms in 2017. That location is now permanently closed. The Power & Light District location is the current KC flagship.

Which KC venue is better for large groups?

Bury The Hatchet. It holds up to 200 people, offers BYOB, and has two-hour sessions that give large groups time to rotate everyone through. See our party planning guide.

Is there axe throwing in downtown Kansas City?

Yes -- Blade & Timber in the Power & Light District is in the heart of downtown KC. It is walkable from most downtown hotels and the convention center.

Throw Axes in KC

Kansas City gave Blade & Timber to the country, and the hometown flagship still delivers one of the more refined axe throwing experiences you will find anywhere. Pair it with Bury The Hatchet's massive suburban space and perfect rating, and KC has one of the stronger two-venue scenes in the Midwest.

Browse all Missouri axe throwing venues or explore the full directory to find venues across the country.