Axe Throwing in Memphis: Beale Street Lanes, BYOB-Friendly Spots, and the Full 2026 Guide

Memphis does two things exceptionally well: music and doing things your own way. The city's axe throwing scene follows that same playbook. Instead of cookie-cutter chain venues, Memphis has a mix of locally rooted spots in walkable arts districts, a polished downtown operation near Beale Street, and an outdoor option inside one of the largest urban parks in America. Not a bad lineup for a mid-size Southern city.

Here is what you need to know about every venue in the Memphis area, who each one is best for, and how to turn your throwing session into a full Memphis night out.

Civil Axe Throwing -- Two Locations, Two Vibes

Civil Axe Throwing is the homegrown favorite. They operate two Memphis locations, and the choice between them says something about what kind of evening you want.

South Main (372 S. Main Street) puts you in the South Main Arts District -- the stretch of downtown that runs south from Beale toward Central Station. This is the Memphis neighborhood where trolleys still roll past galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants that have not been overrun by tourist traffic. The venue fits the area: unpretentious, social, and walkable to a dozen good dinner options.

Broad Avenue (3020-1 Broad Avenue) sits in the Broad Avenue Arts District in Midtown, a revitalized corridor that has become one of Memphis's most interesting food and drink neighborhoods over the past decade. If you live east of downtown or want to avoid the Beale Street orbit entirely, Broad Avenue is the move.

Pricing: $20 per person per hour at both locations. Each booth accommodates up to eight people -- you buy individual tickets or book the whole booth for a private group. Group events for 8-50 people are available with advance booking.

The BYOB angle: Civil Axe is BYOB-friendly for beer, wine, and hard seltzers. They also sell drinks on-site. The bring-your-own option is peak Memphis -- it keeps the cost down and lets your group drink what they actually want instead of choosing from a limited menu.

Ages: 14+ with a signed waiver.

Best for: Locals who want a no-fuss, affordable session in a cool neighborhood. Groups that want BYOB flexibility. Anyone staying downtown who wants to explore South Main beyond Beale Street.

Craft Axe Throwing -- The Downtown Showpiece

Craft Axe Throwing at 344 Floyd Alley puts 15 throwing lanes a short walk from Beale Street. This is the venue that tourists and convention visitors find first, and it delivers a more polished experience than the scrappy local spots.

Craft Axe is a national chain, and the Memphis location runs the standard playbook well: craft beer on tap, multiple TVs for watching games between throws, structured coaching, and late-night weekend hours (open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). The 15-lane footprint means your group will not feel cramped even on busy nights.

The Floyd Alley address matters. You are in the downtown entertainment core, which means you can build an entire evening without moving your car -- Beale Street is a five-minute walk, the FedExForum (Grizzlies games) is nearby, and the restaurant options within walking distance range from BBQ to upscale Southern.

What to know: Craft Axe reviews on TripAdvisor and Yelp consistently praise the coaching staff. If your group includes people who are nervous about throwing sharp objects, this is the venue where the instructors will put them at ease fastest.

Best for: Downtown visitors, Grizzlies game pre-gaming, bachelor and bachelorette parties that want a walkable downtown evening, groups that prefer a fully staffed bar over BYOB.

Go Ape at Shelby Farms -- The Outdoor Wild Card

Go Ape inside Shelby Farms Park at 651 N. Pine Lake Drive offers something no other Memphis venue can: outdoor axe throwing in one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Shelby Farms covers 4,500 acres -- five times the size of Central Park -- and the Go Ape adventure course sits in the middle of it.

The axe throwing runs about $18 per person for a one-hour session. If you combine it with the Treetop Adventure zipline course, the axe throwing drops to roughly $10 per person as an add-on. Ages 10 and up are welcome, making this the most family-friendly axe throwing option in Memphis by a significant margin.

Why it is worth the drive: Throwing axes outdoors, surrounded by trees and open sky, is a genuinely different experience from throwing in a warehouse. The sensory change matters -- the sound of the axe hitting wood carries differently outside, the breeze adds a variable, and the whole thing feels more primal. If you have only thrown indoors before, an outdoor session at Go Ape is worth trying at least once. Read more about the outdoor vs. indoor debate.

Best for: Families with kids 10+, outdoor enthusiasts, anyone already visiting Shelby Farms, groups looking for a multi-activity day (ziplines + axes + park time).

Autobahn Indoor Speedway -- The Adrenaline Package

Autobahn Indoor Speedway at 6399 Shelby View Drive bundles axe throwing with go-karting and arcade games inside a 45,000-square-foot facility. This is not a dedicated axe throwing venue -- it is an entertainment complex where axes are one piece of a bigger night out.

The coached sessions mean you will get proper instruction even though axe throwing is not the headline attraction. The value proposition is strongest when you want variety: an hour of karting, 30 minutes of throwing, and some arcade games adds up to a three-hour evening that keeps restless groups (teenagers, corporate outings, birthday parties) entertained throughout.

Best for: Groups that want multiple activities in one stop. Teenagers and young adults who might not sustain interest in two hours of pure axe throwing. Birthday parties where different people want different things.

Howln Axes -- The Mobile Option

Howln Axes brings the lanes to you. They are Memphis's dedicated mobile axe throwing company, setting up portable targets at festivals, private parties, corporate events, and any outdoor space that can accommodate them.

If your event is too large for a venue, or you want the throwing to happen at your location -- a backyard party, a company parking lot, a wedding reception (yes, really) -- Howln Axes is the call. Phone them at (901) 584-4904 to discuss your event.

Best for: Private events, festivals, groups of 20+ who do not want to split across multiple lanes at a fixed venue.

Where Each Venue Fits Your Night

The decision comes down to what kind of evening you are building:

• Full Memphis night out near Beale Street: Craft Axe Throwing, then walk to Beale, then BBQ at Central BBQ or Gus's Fried Chicken.
• Arts district evening with BYOB: Civil Axe on South Main, then dinner at The Gray Canary or drinks at Old Dominick Distillery. Or go Broad Avenue and hit Bounty on Broad afterward.
• Outdoor family day: Go Ape at Shelby Farms, then picnic in the park or ride bikes on the Greenline.
• Multi-activity group outing: Autobahn for go-karts and axes, then dinner wherever the group agrees.
• Private event on your turf: Howln Axes mobile setup.

Memphis BBQ and Axe Throwing -- The Perfect Pairing

You cannot visit Memphis and skip the BBQ. Here is how to combine both:

After Civil Axe South Main: Walk ten minutes to Central BBQ on Butler Avenue for pulled pork nachos and ribs. Or head to The Arcade for Memphis's oldest restaurant -- a diner that has been open since 1919.

After Civil Axe Broad Avenue: Bounty on Broad is right on the same street for elevated Southern food. Or drive five minutes to Crosstown Concourse for a dozen restaurant options inside a converted Sears distribution center.

After Craft Axe downtown: Rendezvous on General Washburn Alley serves dry-rubbed ribs in a basement that feels like a speakeasy. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken on South Front is a 10-minute walk. Or just wander Beale and follow your nose.

After Go Ape at Shelby Farms: Shelby Farms has its own restaurant, or drive west to the Cooper-Young neighborhood for Young Avenue Deli, Tsunami, or Stone Soup Cafe.

Practical Details

Booking: Reserve ahead for Friday and Saturday nights at Civil Axe and Craft Axe. Weekday sessions are usually walk-in friendly. Go Ape and Autobahn recommend online booking for any visit.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes everywhere, no exceptions. Memphis heat in summer means layers are smart -- venues are air-conditioned but you will be exerting yourself. Check our what to wear guide for the full rundown.

Driving vs. rideshare: If you are starting downtown, Craft Axe and Civil Axe South Main are both walkable. Everything else requires a car or rideshare. Memphis is a driving city -- do not expect to walk between the different venue neighborhoods.

Group size: Civil Axe handles groups of 8-50 well. Craft Axe's 15 lanes can absorb large parties. For 20+ people, consider Howln Axes mobile or Autobahn's multi-activity setup. See our large group guide for more planning tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is axe throwing in Memphis BYOB?

Civil Axe Throwing allows BYOB (beer, wine, hard seltzers). Craft Axe has a full bar on-site and does not allow outside drinks. Go Ape and Autobahn sell drinks but do not allow BYOB.

What is the best venue for a bachelor or bachelorette party?

Craft Axe's downtown location wins here -- you are walking distance from Beale Street, which is the natural second act for any Memphis party night. Civil Axe South Main is the runner-up if your group prefers a chiller vibe. Read our bachelor party guide for planning tips.

Can kids throw axes in Memphis?

Go Ape allows ages 10+ and is the most family-friendly option. Civil Axe allows ages 14+. Craft Axe typically requires 18+ but check their current policy when booking. Our axe throwing for kids guide has more details on what to expect.

How much should I budget for a Memphis axe throwing outing?

For a couple: $40-60 total at Civil Axe (BYOB keeps drink costs down). For a group of six at Craft Axe: roughly $150-200 including drinks. Go Ape's combo deal (ziplines + axes) runs about $50-60 per person for a half-day of activities.

Is there competitive axe throwing in Memphis?

Civil Axe runs occasional tournaments and league-style events. Check their social media for upcoming competitions. Memphis does not have a large organized league scene yet compared to cities like Nashville or Atlanta, but the community is growing.

Find all axe throwing venues in Tennessee

Explore more Southern city guides: Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville -- or find axe throwing venues near you.