Axe Throwing in New Orleans: Hatchets, Hurricanes, and Where to Throw in the Big Easy

New Orleans runs on live music, fried seafood, and activities you probably should not do sober. Axe throwing fits right in. The Big Easy's axe throwing scene is not concentrated on Bourbon Street -- it sprawls across the metro, from a Drew Brees-backed entertainment complex in Metairie to a family-run hub in Kenner to a dedicated hatchet bar across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. That geographic spread means you are picking a venue based on where you are staying, what else you want to do that day, and whether you want a multi-activity complex or a focused throwing experience.

Here is how the New Orleans axe throwing landscape looks heading into summer 2026.

Pickle N Pins -- The Metairie Megaplex

Pickle N Pins at 6930 Veterans Memorial Blvd in Metairie is not just an axe throwing venue -- it is a 40,000-square-foot entertainment complex co-founded by Drew Brees. Yes, that Drew Brees. The former Saints quarterback put his name and money behind a concept that combines axe throwing with duckpin bowling, pickleball courts, padel, Krazy Darts, a full restaurant, and a bar with craft cocktails.

The axe throwing setup: Lanes are well-maintained with coached instruction, and the setup accommodates both walk-ins and reservations. The real draw here is the ability to stack activities -- throw axes for an hour, bowl a few frames, play some pickleball, and eat jambalaya without leaving the building.

Pricing: The Triple Threat deal is the standout -- $15 per person for two consecutive hours of axe throwing, Krazy Darts, and duckpin bowling, available Monday through Thursday all day. That is not a typo. Fifteen dollars for two hours of three different activities in a city where a single cocktail costs more. Weekend and individual activity pricing runs higher, but the weekday deal is among the best values for axe throwing anywhere in Louisiana.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 1 AM, Sunday 9 AM to 10 PM. The late Friday and Saturday closing makes this a legitimate nightlife option -- throw axes at 11 PM with a cocktail in your off-hand.

Age policy: Throwers must be at least 12 years old with closed-toe shoes. That makes Pickle N Pins accessible for families -- a birthday party for a teenager works perfectly here given the variety of activities available.

Best for: Groups that want options beyond axe throwing. Families mixing activities. Anyone staying in Metairie or the western suburbs. Budget-conscious weekday visitors who can take advantage of the Triple Threat deal.

Game On Social Hub -- Kenner's All-in-One

Game On Social Hub at 2421 Veterans Blvd in Kenner packs bowling, laser tag, axe throwing, a full bar, a restaurant, video poker, and event spaces under one roof. It is closer to the airport than downtown, which makes it the play if you are killing time before a flight or staying in the Kenner area.

The axe throwing experience: Lanes accommodate 2 to 5 throwers each, with staff coaching for beginners. The 18+ age requirement for axe throwing is stricter than Pickle N Pins, so this is an adults-only option on the throwing lanes.

What sets it apart: Game On leans into the social-hub concept more aggressively than anywhere else in the metro. The bowling lanes, laser tag, and bar create a full evening of activity without driving between venues. Corporate groups and large parties benefit from the variety -- not everyone in a 20-person group wants to throw axes for two hours, and Game On gives people options.

Location advantage: The Veterans Blvd address sits 10 minutes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. If you have a late flight and a few hours to burn, Game On beats sitting in the terminal.

Best for: Adults-only groups. Airport-adjacent visitors. Corporate events and large parties needing multiple activity options. Bowling-and-axe-throwing combo outings.

Skål Axe Throwing -- The North Shore Specialist

Skål Axe Throwing at 600 N Highway 190 in Covington crosses the lake to New Orleans' North Shore, about 45 minutes from the French Quarter via the Causeway. The trade-off for the drive is a dedicated axe throwing venue -- not a multi-activity complex with lanes bolted on, but a purpose-built bar and throwing facility.

The experience: Every session includes a dedicated Axe Coach who stays with your group throughout -- not a quick safety demo followed by abandonment. Coaches teach technique, run games, and adjust your form in real time. The 4.9-star Google rating across nearly 100 reviews reflects that personal attention. General admission sessions run one hour; private events get two.

Pricing: Sessions start around $30 per person for a one-hour coached experience. Private events and group packages scale up from there.

Hours: Thursday 3-10 PM, Friday 3-10 PM, Saturday 11 AM to midnight, Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM. Closed Monday through Wednesday. The limited schedule means Skål is a weekend destination for most people, but the Saturday-night-until-midnight slot turns it into a legitimate outing for North Shore residents.

The North Shore context: Covington, Mandeville, and the surrounding St. Tammany Parish communities have grown dramatically, and Skål serves that population without requiring them to cross the Causeway. If you are staying on the North Shore -- maybe visiting Abita Brewing or exploring the Tammany Trace trail -- Skål is a natural addition to the itinerary.

Best for: North Shore residents and visitors. Anyone who values dedicated coaching over multi-activity sprawl. Groups wanting a focused, coached axe throwing session with bar service.

The Rest of the Metro Scene

The greater New Orleans area has additional options worth knowing about:

• OuterBanks Axe House in Picayune, Mississippi -- about an hour east on I-59. Combines axe throwing with bowling, darts, and wood-fired pizza. The Picayune location makes it a reach from New Orleans proper, but if you are heading toward the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it is a solid detour.

• Bayou Axe in Bossier City serves the Shreveport-Bossier metro in northwest Louisiana. Not a New Orleans play, but worth noting if your Louisiana trip extends beyond the Crescent City.

• Mobile axe throwing operators periodically serve the New Orleans market for festivals, corporate events, and private parties. If you are planning a large event and want axe throwing brought to your location, search for mobile operators serving the NOLA area.

How to Pick the Right Venue

The decision tree is straightforward:

Staying in the city or Metairie? Pickle N Pins. The location, hours, pricing, and activity variety make it the default choice for most visitors. The Triple Threat weekday deal alone justifies the drive from the French Quarter.

Near the airport? Game On Social Hub in Kenner. Ten minutes from the terminal, adults-only throwing, multiple activities to fill time.

On the North Shore? Skål in Covington. Do not cross the Causeway when you have a 4.9-star dedicated venue in your backyard.

Planning a [corporate event](/blog/axe-throwing-corporate-team-building) or large party? Both Pickle N Pins and Game On handle large groups well. Pickle N Pins offers more activity variety; Game On provides bowling and laser tag alongside the axes.

Building the Perfect NOLA Axe Throwing Day

New Orleans is the kind of city where you do not just do one thing. Stack your axe throwing session with what the metro does best:

The Metairie Saturday: Morning beignets at Morning Call in Metairie (skip the French Quarter tourist line at Cafe Du Monde), afternoon at Pickle N Pins hitting the Triple Threat deal would not be available on Saturday but the individual activities still deliver, then dinner at one of the Vietnamese restaurants on the West Bank or po'boys from Parkway Bakery on the way back toward the city.

The North Shore Escape: Cross the Causeway to Covington, tour Abita Brewing, throw axes at Skål, then grab dinner in downtown Covington's restaurant row on Columbia Street. The whole day stays on the North Shore without touching I-10.

The Group Night Out: Start with dinner in the Warehouse District, Uber to Pickle N Pins for a late session (they are open until 1 AM on Saturdays), then head back to Frenchmen Street for live music. Axes, cocktails, and brass bands -- that is a New Orleans evening.

The Pre-Flight Play: Stuck near the airport with three hours before your flight? Game On Social Hub in Kenner is 10 minutes from MSY. Throw axes, bowl a few frames, grab food from the restaurant, and head to your gate. Better than a $14 airport beer.

What Makes NOLA Different

Most cities treat axe throwing as a standalone activity. New Orleans treats it as one ingredient in a bigger recipe. The venues here understand that nobody flies to the Big Easy to only throw axes -- they come for the food, the music, the culture, and the general commitment to having a good time that permeates everything the city touches. The axe throwing venues have adapted accordingly, embedding themselves in multi-activity complexes and entertainment hubs rather than competing as standalone destinations.

That integration works in your favor. You get axe throwing without sacrificing the other things that make a New Orleans trip worth taking. And at $15 for two hours at Pickle N Pins on a weekday, you get it at a price that leaves plenty of budget for oysters and Sazeracs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there axe throwing in the French Quarter?

Not currently. The closest option is Pickle N Pins in Metairie, about a 20-minute drive from the Quarter. Stumpy's Hatchet House previously operated downtown on Poydras Street but has closed. The Metairie and Kenner venues are your best bets from the city center.

What should I wear?

Closed-toe shoes are required at all venues -- no sandals, no flip-flops, no exceptions. Beyond that, wear what you would wear to a bowling alley. Avoid loose jewelry and tie back long hair. Read our what to wear guide for the full breakdown.

Can I throw axes after drinking?

Venues serve alcohol and allow moderate drinking during sessions. Nobody is breathalyzing you at the door. That said, venues reserve the right to refuse service to visibly intoxicated guests -- which is both a legal requirement and common sense when sharp objects are involved. Pace yourself.

How far in advance should I book?

Weekday sessions at Pickle N Pins usually have same-day availability. Weekend evenings at any venue should be booked 3-5 days ahead, especially for groups of 6+. Private events and bachelor or bachelorette parties should book 2-3 weeks out.

Is axe throwing safe?

Yes. Every venue provides coaching, safety briefings, and supervised lanes. The lanes are enclosed so axes stay in the throwing area. Statistically, axe throwing has fewer injuries per session than bowling. Read our full safety guide if you want the detailed breakdown.

Explore axe throwing venues across Louisiana and start planning your NOLA session.