Axe Throwing in New Jersey: The State Guide From the Shore to the Skylands (2026)

Stumpy's Hatchet House opened its first location in New Jersey back in 2016 and kicked off the entire American axe throwing industry. A decade later, the state has 23 venues spread across 18 cities, anchored by two chains that were both born here -- Stumpy's and Bury the Hatchet. No other state can claim that kind of origin-story credibility.

The result is a market that ranges from BYOB warehouse operations in suburban strip malls to high-tech entertainment complexes with projection-mapped targets. And because this is New Jersey, almost nothing is more than 40 minutes from a turnpike exit.

This is the statewide guide. We also have dedicated city guides for every major venue cluster: Paramus, Bloomfield, Edison, Cherry Hill, Freehold, Matawan, Passaic, Princeton, and Fairfield. If you already know which corner of the state you live in, skip directly to the right guide. If you are mapping out the bigger picture, keep reading.

The 9-Cluster New Jersey Map at a Glance

The Bury the Hatchet New Jersey Network at a Glance

The Bury the Hatchet chain originated in New Jersey and the state holds five of its highest-volume locations. Together they form one of the most concentrated axe-throwing footprints in the country. If you are trying to pick between them, geography is almost always the decider:

All five carry a perfect 5.0-star Google rating across that combined volume of nearly 75,000 reviews -- a number that puts the chain's New Jersey footprint among the highest-rated, highest-volume axe networks anywhere in the United States. The chain also runs a King of Prussia location in southeastern Pennsylvania that completes the regional cluster.

North Jersey -- Bergen, Passaic, and Essex Counties

This is the densest axe throwing corridor in the state, and it makes sense -- Bergen County alone has nearly a million people, and the Passaic/Essex area adds another million. If you live anywhere between the George Washington Bridge and Paterson, you have at least five venues within a 20-minute drive.

[Bury the Hatchet Paramus](/blog/paramus-axe-throwing) at 49 E Midland Ave is the chain's crown jewel. Over 21,000 Google reviews with a perfect 5.0-star rating -- numbers that make it one of the most-reviewed axe throwing venues in the entire country. Paramus sits at the intersection of Routes 4, 17, and the Garden State Parkway, which means half of North Jersey can reach it in under 30 minutes. BYOB beer and wine (no hard liquor), private lanes for groups, and a coaching staff that has taught tens of thousands of first-timers. See our Paramus guide for the deep dive.

[Bury The Hatchet Bloomfield](/blog/bloomfield-axe-throwing) at 672 Bloomfield Ave brings the same formula to Essex County. 17,300+ reviews at 5.0 stars -- the highest review volume of any Bury the Hatchet location in the entire chain. The Bloomfield/Montclair border location draws from Newark, Montclair, East Orange, and the Caldwells. Same BYOB policy, same quality coaching. For a date night in the Montclair dining district, throw first at Bloomfield and walk to dinner after. Our Bloomfield guide covers the Essex County scene in detail.

Jersey Axe House at 52 E Centre St in Nutley is the independent that holds its own against the chains. 5.0 stars, 414 reviews, and a reputation as North Jersey's premier axe and knife throwing experience. They run a Thursday Night Social League and host tournaments -- if you are looking for competitive throwing without joining a full WATL league, this is the spot. Check our leagues guide for how competitive play works nationwide.

[The Hack Shack](/blog/passaic-axe-throwing) at 2 Brighton Ave in Passaic operates inside the Brighton Asylum complex, which also houses an escape room and the haunted attraction that put Brighton Asylum on the map. Three axe throwing lanes in a venue that specializes in adrenaline experiences. If you want to throw axes and then get scared in a haunted house, Passaic is your destination. See our Passaic guide for the deep dive.

[Stumpy's Hatchet House Fairfield](/blog/fairfield-axe-throwing) at 373 US-46 in Fairfield is the Essex / Morris / Passaic seam pick. 4.9 stars across 1,124 Google reviews -- one of the highest review counts in the state. The midnight Friday-Saturday close is unusually late for the activity-venue industry and makes Fairfield the right choice for groups wanting a real night out rather than a 9 PM wind-down. BYOB, wheelchair-accessible, and easy to reach from Wayne, the Caldwells, Pine Brook, and Parsippany. Our Fairfield guide covers the full Route 46 / I-80 / Route 23 corridor angle.

Shooting Zone at 26 Johnson Ave in Hackensack adds axe throwing to its target-sport menu. 4.9 stars, 190 reviews. The Hackensack location puts it in easy reach of Teaneck, Englewood, and the Route 4 corridor.

Browse all New Jersey venues in our directory.

The Jersey City Connection

Jersey City Archery at 7 Sherman Ave in Jersey City Heights is the closest dedicated throwing venue to Manhattan. Sitting on the second floor, it combines axe throwing with archery -- a dual-discipline setup that is uncommon anywhere in the country. 4.7 stars. For NYC residents who want to throw axes without the Penn Station-to-suburban-strip-mall commute, Jersey City Heights is the answer. The PATH train to Journal Square plus a short rideshare gets you there in under 30 minutes from Midtown.

For more on the NYC-area axe throwing scene, see our New York City guide and Brooklyn guide.

Central Jersey -- Yes, It Exists

The "does Central Jersey exist?" debate is settled when you look at axe throwing density. The stretch from Edison to Princeton has four venues, and they are some of the best in the state.

[Supercharged Entertainment](/blog/edison-axe-throwing) at 987 US-1 in Edison is a 100,000+ square foot entertainment complex that has redefined what a throwing venue can be. Luxury axe throwing with interactive projection targets -- the lanes are 30% wider than standard, every lane has private lounge seating, and food and cocktails are served directly from the adjacent bar. 4.8 stars, 13,000+ reviews. This is not a scrappy axe bar -- this is axe throwing at a scale and production value that most states do not have anywhere. Indoor karting, a two-story arcade, VR, and a drop tower round out the complex. For large groups, Supercharged is hard to beat. Our Edison guide walks through the multi-activity logic.

Stumpy's Hatchet House Green Brook at 159 US-22 is one of the chain's original locations and still one of the best. 4.9 stars, 857 reviews. The BYOB policy (beer, wine, hard seltzers -- no hard liquor) carries over from the chain's founding philosophy. Stumpy's supplies the ice, coolers, cups, and tables. Walk-in or book online. Open throw is $30/person for one hour, $45 for two.

[Stumpy's Hatchet House Princeton](/blog/princeton-axe-throwing) at 745 Alexander Rd is the chain's college-town outpost and one of only two NJ axe venues with both veteran-owned and women-owned designations. 5.0 stars across 555 reviews. Same BYOB setup. The Alexander Rd location sits 0.6 miles from the Princeton Junction NJ Transit station -- one of the only US axe venues where rail access is a practical mode for Manhattan or Philadelphia visitors. Pre-throw dinner on Nassau Street, post-throw walk through campus. Our Princeton guide covers the Route 1 / Mercer County / pharma-and-university corridor in detail.

[Bury The Hatchet Old Bridge](/blog/matawan-axe-throwing) at 419 NJ-34 in Matawan covers the Route 9/Route 34 corridor. 5.0 stars, 11,800+ reviews -- the third-highest review count in the entire BTH chain. The naming is regional (the venue is actually in Matawan, not Old Bridge Township) and this location is the only major NJ axe venue with direct NJ Transit train access from Penn Station NYC. See our Matawan guide for the train-accessible day trip.

Urban Air in Avenel adds axe throwing to its trampoline and adventure park mix. More of a family entertainment center than a dedicated axe venue, but for families with kids who want to combine jumping with throwing, it fills the niche. See our kids guide for age requirements at various venues.

The Shore and South Jersey

[Bury the Hatchet Freehold](/blog/freehold-axe-throwing) at 916 Park Ave handles the Monmouth County market. 5.0 stars, nearly 10,000 reviews. Freehold is centrally located enough to pull from Long Branch, Red Bank, and Howell, and it sits 15 minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure -- which makes it the natural "after the theme park" axe option. Same BYOB policy as all Bury the Hatchet locations. Our Freehold guide covers the Shore-and-axes combination.

[Bury the Hatchet Cherry Hill](/blog/cherry-hill-axe-throwing) at 1931 Olney Ave brings the chain to Camden County. 5.0 stars, 14,400+ reviews -- making it one of the most-reviewed axe throwing venues in the country. Cherry Hill's location along Route 70 and the NJ Turnpike makes it the default choice for anyone in the Delaware Valley who does not want to cross the bridge into Philadelphia. Our Cherry Hill guide handles the South Jersey angle.

Clutch Shot Axe Throwing at 8407 River Rd in Pennsauken is the independent South Jersey answer to the chains. 5.0 stars, 374 reviews. Right off Route 130, it covers the Camden/Burlington County corridor.

Adventure Crossing USA in Jackson Township is a massive entertainment complex off Route 195 that includes axe throwing among its many activities. 4.0 stars. The Jackson location sits between the Shore and Central Jersey, drawing from both markets.

Mobile Axe Throwing -- Down The Hatchet operates out of Toms River at 1769 Hooper Ave. They run a self-contained mobile trailer that travels across the Jersey Shore and beyond. BYOB. If you are planning a birthday party or corporate event at the Shore and want axe throwing to come to you, Down The Hatchet is the only mobile option in the region. For more on how mobile operations work, check our mobile axe throwing guide.

The Skylands and Northwest Jersey

Who Axe'd You at 771 NJ-15 in Lake Hopatcong is the axe-bar hybrid that Sussex and Morris County needed. 5.0 stars. Second-floor venue with billiards, darts, live sports, an arcade, and an indoor golf simulator alongside the throwing lanes. They have partnered with The Jefferson diner for food delivery to your lane -- order a burger between throws. Ages 10+. The Lake Hopatcong location gives Skylands residents something to do that does not involve driving an hour to a chain in Bergen County.

Power Strike at 3 Gold Mine Rd in Roxbury Township (formerly Axe 'Em Out) takes a different approach. Beyond standard axes and hatchets, Power Strike offers ninja stars, shovels, tomahawks, and knives. 4.9 stars, 149 reviews. If you have been to three axe throwing venues and want something different, the weapon variety here is the draw. VR experiences also available.

For Stumpy's Fairfield -- the other North Jersey Stumpy's flagship -- see the North Jersey section above (we cover Fairfield with the Bergen/Essex cluster rather than the Skylands because the Route 46 catchment is structurally North Jersey).

How New Jersey Compares

New Jersey's claim to fame is simple: the modern American axe throwing industry started here. Stumpy's opened in 2016 and Bury the Hatchet followed shortly after. Both chains have since expanded nationally, but their densest presence remains in their home state.

The BYOB Factor

New Jersey's BYOB culture extends well beyond restaurants. Nearly every dedicated axe throwing venue in the state allows you to bring your own beer, wine, and hard seltzers. Hard liquor is universally prohibited (insurance reasons -- no one needs a whiskey-fueled axe session). Most venues provide coolers, ice, and cups.

This is a genuine competitive advantage over neighboring states. In New York, many venues have full bars with drink markups. In Pennsylvania, it varies. In New Jersey, you grab a six-pack from the liquor store next door and throw for a fraction of the total cost. For venues with on-site bars, use our bar filter.

Who Should Go Where

First-timers: Bury the Hatchet Paramus or Cherry Hill. The coaching is refined after handling tens of thousands of beginners. Read our beginner's guide before your first session.

Competitive throwers: Jersey Axe House in Nutley. League nights and tournaments in an independent venue with serious throwing culture.

Groups of 10+: Supercharged Entertainment in Edison. Projection targets, lounge seating, and a dozen other activities if someone in your group decides axe throwing is not for them. See our large groups guide.

Date night: Bury the Hatchet Bloomfield (near Montclair's restaurant row) or Stumpy's Princeton (Nassau Street dinner + campus walk afterward). Our date night guide has more pairing ideas.

Families: Who Axe'd You in Lake Hopatcong (ages 10+, arcade, diner delivery) or Urban Air Avenel. Check our kids guide for age policies.

Manhattan day-trippers without a car: Matawan / Bury the Hatchet Old Bridge. NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line drops you 7 minutes from the venue -- the only major NJ axe venue with that kind of train access.

Jersey Shore weekends: Freehold. Beach day in Asbury, axes in Freehold, dinner in Red Bank -- the cleanest Shore-and-activity sequence in the metro.

Something different: Power Strike in Roxbury for ninja stars and shovels. Down The Hatchet in Toms River for a mobile trailer at your backyard event.

FAQ

Where did axe throwing in America start?

Stumpy's Hatchet House claims to be the first axe throwing venue in the United States, opening in New Jersey in 2016. Bury the Hatchet launched shortly after, also in New Jersey. Both chains have since expanded across the country.

How much does axe throwing cost in New Jersey?

Standard sessions run $25-$45 per person depending on duration and venue. Stumpy's charges $30/person for one hour, $45 for two. Bury the Hatchet ranges from $25 (walk-in Wednesdays) to $42 for a two-hour session. Supercharged and complex venues may charge differently based on package. See our cost guide for national pricing context.

Can I bring my own drinks to axe throwing in NJ?

Most dedicated axe throwing venues in New Jersey are BYOB -- beer, wine, and hard seltzers are welcome. Hard liquor is not allowed at any BYOB venue. Entertainment complexes like Supercharged have their own bars instead. Always confirm the specific venue's policy when booking.

What is the highest-rated axe throwing venue in New Jersey?

Nine NJ venues hold a perfect 5.0-star Google rating: Bury the Hatchet Paramus, Bloomfield, Matawan / Old Bridge, Freehold, and Cherry Hill, plus Clutch Shot (Pennsauken), Jersey Axe House (Nutley), Stumpy's Princeton, and Who Axe'd You (Lake Hopatcong). Stumpy's Fairfield sits just below at 4.9 with the highest review count (1,124) in the Stumpy's NJ network.

Is there axe throwing near the Jersey Shore?

Bury the Hatchet Freehold is the closest fixed venue to the Shore towns. Down The Hatchet runs a mobile trailer service out of Toms River that travels across the Shore region. Adventure Crossing in Jackson is also within striking distance.

How do I pick between the five Bury the Hatchet locations in New Jersey?

Geography is the decider almost every time. Use the table at the top of this guide -- Paramus for Bergen and the GWB, Bloomfield for Essex and the Lincoln Tunnel, Edison for multi-activity groups, Matawan for the Middlesex-Monmouth border and the only NJ Transit-friendly option, Freehold for the Shore and Six Flags, Cherry Hill for South Jersey and Philadelphia-adjacent groups.

The Garden State Throws

New Jersey does not get enough credit for launching the axe throwing industry in America. Two of the country's biggest chains were born here, and the state's venue density -- 23 locations across a state you can drive top to bottom in three hours -- means there is a lane waiting no matter where you are between the Hudson and the Delaware.

Grab a six-pack, pick a venue, and throw. Browse all New Jersey axe throwing venues or explore our full directory to find venues anywhere in the US. For the deep-dive city guides, jump to Paramus, Bloomfield, Edison, Matawan, Freehold, Cherry Hill, Passaic, Princeton, or Fairfield. The King of Prussia guide covers the Bury the Hatchet location just over the PA line.