Minnesota Axe Throwing: 15 Venues From the Twin Cities to the Northwoods (2026 Guide)

Minnesota feels like the state where axe throwing should have started. Land of 10,000 Lakes, Paul Bunyan mythology, flannel as a lifestyle choice, winters that demand indoor entertainment -- the whole Northwoods aesthetic maps perfectly onto hurling hatchets at wooden targets. Fifteen venues now serve the state, concentrated in the Twin Cities metro but reaching into St. Cloud, Mankato, the St. Croix Valley, and even lake country.

What makes the Minnesota scene distinctive is the format variety. You have a national chain downtown (Bad Axe Throwing on Hennepin Avenue), multi-activity entertainment complexes (The Burrow, The Fair on 4), dedicated axe-and-bar concepts (Dragon's Lair, The Lumberjack), and small-town operations that serve as community gathering spots. The quality range is wider than most states -- ratings span from 3.7 to 5.0 -- which means choosing the right venue matters more here than in states where everything hovers around 4.8.

The Burrow -- Two Locations, 1,768 Reviews

The Burrow operates the two highest-traffic venues in Minnesota, and neither one is in Minneapolis proper.

The Burrow Victoria at 7999 Victoria Dr is a restaurant, bar, and event venue with axe throwing integrated into the experience. 4.5 stars, 936 reviews. Victoria is a small city (population ~10,000) about 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis, positioned in the Lake Minnetonka corridor where suburban sprawl meets hobby farms and horse country. The Burrow draws from Chanhassen, Chaska, Waconia, and the western suburbs.

The concept here is broader than pure axe throwing -- this is a destination entertainment spot where throwing is one piece of a bigger evening that might include dinner, drinks, and socializing. The 4.5 rating (lower than pure axe throwing venues) reflects the restaurant-and-entertainment complexity more than the throwing experience itself. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4-9 PM, Friday 4-10 PM, Saturday 11 AM-10 PM, Sunday 11 AM-8 PM. Closed Monday.

The Burrow Oakdale at 7053 10th St N covers the eastern suburbs. 4.3 stars, 832 reviews. Oakdale sits between St. Paul and Stillwater, serving Woodbury, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, and the I-94 east corridor. Same multi-activity concept as Victoria -- pizza restaurant, bar, axe throwing, event venue.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4-10 PM, Friday 4-11 PM, Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-8 PM. Closed Monday.

Between the two locations, The Burrow serves the widest geographic footprint in the state. If you live in the Twin Cities suburbs, one of the two Burrow locations is likely your closest option.

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis -- Downtown Hennepin

Bad Axe Throwing at 611 Hennepin Ave puts axe throwing in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. 4.9 stars, 531 reviews. Bad Axe is a national franchise (one of the biggest chains in the country) with locations across the US and Canada, and the Minneapolis City Center spot is their Minnesota flagship.

The Hennepin Avenue address matters. You are in the theater district, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and the Target Center. For groups planning a night out that includes dinner and entertainment, the location eliminates the need to drive between activities. The venue operates as a bar alongside the axe throwing, and the national-chain coaching model means consistent instruction quality.

The limited hours are the main drawback: Wednesday through Sunday, with weekday sessions not starting until 6 PM. If you want a Tuesday throw or an afternoon session, you need to look elsewhere.

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 6-9:30 PM, Friday 5-11 PM, Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-7 PM. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

See our Minneapolis city guide for a focused look at the downtown scene.

The Suburban Ring

Dragon's Lair Axe & Tap at 16415 County Rd 30 in Maple Grove is the northwest suburbs' anchor. 5.0 stars, 148 reviews. The name signals the concept: medieval-themed axe throwing with a full tap room. Maple Grove is one of the Twin Cities' most affluent suburbs, and Dragon's Lair serves the Rogers/Plymouth/Brooklyn Park corridor. The perfect 5.0 rating across nearly 150 reviews is genuinely impressive.

Unusual scheduling here: open Monday and Friday through Sunday, closed Tuesday through Thursday. The Monday opening is notable -- most axe throwing venues close on Monday, so Dragon's Lair is your best weeknight option in the northwest metro.

Hours: Monday 4-10:30 PM, Friday 4-10:30 PM, Saturday 12-10:30 PM, Sunday 12-8 PM. Closed Tuesday-Thursday.

Minnesota Axe (MN Axe) Eagan at 2055 Cliff Rd serves the south metro. 4.8 stars, 183 reviews. Eagan sits along the I-35E corridor between downtown St. Paul and the southern suburbs (Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville). The venue doubles as an event space with a bar -- corporate team building and birthday parties are core business here.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5-10 PM, Friday 5-11 PM, Saturday 12-11 PM, Sunday 12-8 PM. Closed Monday.

MN Axe Monticello at 9375 Deegan Ave expands the brand northwest. 4.9 stars, 159 reviews. Monticello is about 45 minutes northwest of Minneapolis on I-94, serving the St. Michael/Big Lake/Buffalo corridor. This is the kind of venue that anchors small-town entertainment -- there is not much else like it within a 20-mile radius.

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 5-9 PM, Friday 5-10 PM, Saturday 12-10 PM, Sunday 12-6 PM. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

Battle Axed at Champion Valley Park in Lakeville is part of a larger family entertainment complex. 4.3 stars, 21 reviews. Lakeville is a fast-growing south suburb, and Battle Axed operates as one attraction among many at the park. Weekend-only hours and limited reviews suggest this is still building its audience.

Browse all Minnesota venues in our directory.

The St. Croix Valley and Stillwater

The Lumberjack Sports Bar at 123 2nd St N in Stillwater is perhaps the most perfectly named axe throwing venue in the country. 4.6 stars, 362 reviews. Stillwater is a historic river town on the St. Croix, about 25 minutes east of St. Paul, and the Lumberjack name fits the town's logging heritage like a custom-forged hatchet.

The venue is a sports bar first -- food, drinks, TVs, the usual -- with axe throwing integrated as the anchor entertainment. The 2nd Street downtown location puts you in the walkable Stillwater core, surrounded by antique shops, restaurants, and river views. Summer weekends in Stillwater draw crowds from across the metro for the combination of small-town charm and proximity to St. Paul.

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

Greater Minnesota

Outside the Twin Cities metro, Minnesota's axe throwing scene gets thinner but does not disappear entirely.

Nice Axe at Midtown Square Mall in St. Cloud is central Minnesota's go-to. 4.8 stars, 155 reviews. St. Cloud is the state's largest city outside the metro (population ~70,000), anchored by St. Cloud State University and a hospital system that draws workers from across the region. Nice Axe operates from the Midtown Square Mall -- not the most glamorous address, but the reviews speak for themselves. The mall location means easy parking and climate-controlled access, which matters when it is negative 20 outside.

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4-9 PM, Friday 4-10 PM, Saturday 12-10 PM, Sunday 12-7 PM. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

Winona Axe and Arcade at 350 W 2nd St combines axe throwing with an arcade -- a pairing that makes sense for the college-town market. 4.8 stars, 94 reviews. Winona sits on the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota, home to Winona State University and Saint Mary's University. The dual-activity format gives groups variety without leaving the building.

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4-10 PM, Friday 4-11 PM, Saturday 12-11 PM, Sunday 12-8 PM. Closed Monday-Tuesday.

JD's Hideaway Mankato at 12 Civic Center Plaza is southern Minnesota's entertainment complex. 3.7 stars, 291 reviews. Mankato (population ~44,000) is the economic hub of the southern third of the state, home to Minnesota State University. JD's is a bar and grill, cocktail bar, video arcade, and axe throwing venue rolled into one. The 3.7 rating is the lowest in the state, and the review count (291) suggests volume -- this is a busy place where the breadth of offerings may dilute the axe throwing focus.

Hours: Daily 11 AM-11 PM (midnight on weekends). This is one of the few Minnesota venues open seven days a week.

Alexandria has two venues serving a tourist town of 14,000 on Lake Carlos. Woodsman Axe Throwing has a perfect 5.0 across 64 reviews -- a small but spotless record. United States Axe Throwing Alexandria at 104 Broadway St has 4.7 stars and 25 reviews. Alexandria is a summer destination for fishing and lake recreation, and both venues compete for the same pool of tourists and locals.

United States Axe Throwing Wadena at 213 1st St SE is the most remote option. Wadena is a small town of about 4,000 people, 80 miles north of St. Cloud. Limited hours (Wednesday and Friday-Sunday only), no rating yet. This is frontier axe throwing -- serving a community that would otherwise drive 90+ minutes for the experience.

Minnesota at a Glance

Choosing Your Minnesota Venue

Downtown Minneapolis night out: Bad Axe Throwing on Hennepin. National-chain polish, downtown location, bar service. Combine with dinner at any of the surrounding restaurants. Check our Minneapolis guide.

Best pure axe throwing experience: Dragon's Lair in Maple Grove (5.0 stars, medieval theme, tap room) or MN Axe in Eagan (4.8 stars, dedicated axe venue). Both prioritize the throwing experience over being all things to all people.

Family entertainment: The Burrow (either location) or The Fair on 4 in Bloomington. Multiple activities under one roof means kids and non-throwers stay entertained. Birthday party packages available.

Couples or [date night](/blog/axe-throwing-date-night): The Lumberjack in Stillwater. The river-town setting, walkable downtown, and sports-bar atmosphere create a natural date arc: throw, eat, explore Stillwater. Hard to beat the ambiance.

[Corporate team building](/blog/axe-throwing-corporate-team-building): Bad Axe Minneapolis for downtown convenience, MN Axe Eagan for suburban groups near the airport corridor. Both have event infrastructure and group packages.

Road trip from the Cities: Nice Axe in St. Cloud (1 hour northwest) or Winona Axe and Arcade (2 hours southeast on the Mississippi). Both are worth the drive if you want to pair axe throwing with exploring a new town.

Practical Notes for Minnesota

The winter factor: This is the biggest difference between Minnesota and every other state guide we have written. From November through March, outdoor activities become genuinely limited by temperatures that regularly hit single digits or below zero. Indoor axe throwing is not just convenient in Minnesota winters -- it is one of the few active, social things you can do without thermal layers. Every venue on this list is fully indoor and heated. Plan for it.

Reservations: Book ahead for Saturday evenings, especially at Bad Axe Minneapolis and Dragon's Lair. Weeknight sessions (Tuesday-Thursday) are generally walk-in friendly at most venues. Most offer online booking.

Cost: Expect $30-$45 per person for 60-90 minutes at most Minnesota venues. Bad Axe and the dedicated axe venues tend toward the higher end. Entertainment complexes like The Burrow and JD's may price axe throwing as an add-on to their broader experience. Full pricing breakdown: how much does axe throwing cost.

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes everywhere. Comfortable clothes that allow a full overhead throwing motion. Minnesota-specific: in winter, you will arrive bundled up. Most venues have coat racks or hooks, but leave your parka in the car if possible -- you will warm up fast once you start throwing. Full guide: what to wear.

Alcohol: Bad Axe Minneapolis, Dragon's Lair, The Lumberjack, MN Axe Eagan, The Burrow (both locations), and JD's Hideaway all serve drinks. Minnesota has a strong axe-and-beer culture. Check our axe throwing bars guide for the national picture.

FAQ

What is the best axe throwing venue in Minnesota?

Dragon's Lair in Maple Grove has the best rating (5.0 stars, 148 reviews). Bad Axe Minneapolis has the best combination of rating (4.9) and location (downtown Hennepin). MN Axe Eagan and Monticello both score 4.8-4.9 for dedicated axe throwing. "Best" depends on where you live and what experience you want.

Is there axe throwing in Minneapolis?

Bad Axe Throwing at 611 Hennepin Ave is the only venue in Minneapolis proper. The broader metro has over a dozen options including Dragon's Lair (Maple Grove), MN Axe (Eagan), The Burrow (Victoria and Oakdale), and The Lumberjack (Stillwater). See our Minneapolis guide.

Can I do axe throwing in Duluth?

As of 2026, there is no dedicated axe throwing venue in Duluth. The closest options are Nice Axe in St. Cloud (about 2.5 hours southwest) or venues in the Twin Cities metro. This is a gap in Minnesota's coverage that will likely be filled as the sport continues growing.

Are there axe throwing leagues in Minnesota?

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis runs league play as part of their national league structure. Dragon's Lair and MN Axe also host competitive events. The Twin Cities has enough player density and venue options to support an active league scene. Our leagues guide explains how competitive axe throwing works.

What age do you have to be to throw axes in Minnesota?

Most Minnesota venues allow ages 10-12+ with a parent or guardian. The entertainment complexes (Burrow, Fair on 4) tend to be more explicitly family-friendly. Call your specific venue to confirm current age minimums. Our age requirements guide covers national policies.

Is axe throwing a good winter activity in Minnesota?

It is one of the best. Every venue is indoor and heated. You get physical activity, social engagement, and competition -- all without stepping outside in January. Axe throwing solves the perennial Minnesota problem of "what do we do when it is too cold to be outside." Our indoor vs outdoor guide has more context.

Explore all Minnesota axe throwing venues in our directory. Read our Minneapolis city guide for a deeper look at the downtown scene, or check our Wisconsin guide for options across the border.