Best Axe Throwing in Washington, DC (2026 Guide)

The nation's capital runs on stress, and two axe throwing venues have built thriving businesses helping Washingtonians release it. Kick Axe Throwing in Ivy City and Kraken Axes & Rage in Penn Quarter approach the sport from different angles -- one is a full restaurant and bar with late-night hours, the other combines axe throwing with rage rooms in a downtown location steps from the Metro. Both are solid, and your choice comes down to neighborhood, vibe, and how late you want to keep throwing.

Kick Axe Throwing -- Ivy City

Kick Axe Throwing DC operates out of 1401 Okie St NE in Ivy City, a neighborhood that has transformed from industrial wasteland into one of DC's most interesting pockets for food and drink. With a 4.5-star rating across 607 Google reviews, Kick Axe is the larger and more established of DC's two venues.

This is not a bare-bones throwing range. Kick Axe DC is a full bar and grill with a cabin-themed interior, patio dining, board games, and live music. The food menu runs from sliders and street tacos to flatbreads and mac and cheese bites. You can make a full evening out of it without leaving the building, which is exactly what most groups do.

Sessions come in two formats: a 60-minute full experience or a 35-minute quick throw. Both include coaching from an Axe Pro who teaches technique and runs you through games. The shorter session is surprisingly good for smaller groups or couples who want to throw without committing to a full hour.

The late-night factor: Kick Axe stays open until 1 AM on Sundays and Thursdays, midnight on Wednesdays, and 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. That is not a typo -- you can throw axes at 2 AM on a Saturday night in the nation's capital. The venue shifts to 21+ after 9 PM daily, which turns the late sessions into a distinctly adult experience. For DC's young professional crowd, this fills a niche that bars and clubs do not.

Kids welcome (before 9 PM): Ages 8 and up can throw during daytime and early evening hours. Kick Axe hosts kids' birthday parties with event food and drink packages, making it a legitimate family option during weekend afternoons. See our axe throwing for kids guide for more on age requirements.

The Ivy City location is accessible by car with nearby parking, and ride-sharing is the move for late-night sessions. The neighborhood itself has become a destination -- Republic Restoratives Distillery, Atlas Brew Works, and several other spots are walking distance away.

Kraken Axes & Rage -- Penn Quarter

Kraken Axes & Rage sits at 840 E St NW in Penn Quarter, putting it in the geographic center of tourist DC and the downtown business district. With a 4.3-star rating across 363 reviews, Kraken is smaller and newer than Kick Axe but has a significant advantage: Metro access.

The Penn Quarter location is blocks from both the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter station and the Metro Center station. For a city where driving is often more hassle than it is worth, being able to Metro to your axe throwing session is a genuine selling point. This also makes Kraken the default choice for groups coming from different parts of the city -- everyone can get there without coordinating rides.

Kraken runs eight axe throwing lanes with coaching and a rustic-style bar serving drafts, cans, wines, and ciders. The venue also offers rage rooms, where you can smash objects for stress relief -- a combo that has proven popular with the downtown office crowd. The women-owned business brings a distinctly welcoming atmosphere to a sport that can sometimes skew fratty.

Hours: Thursday through Friday 5 PM to 10 PM, Saturday noon to 10 PM, Sunday noon to 7 PM. Closed Monday through Wednesday. The limited weekday hours are worth noting -- if you want a Tuesday session, Kraken is not an option.

The venue is wheelchair accessible with street parking and gender-neutral restrooms. The Penn Quarter address means you are surrounded by restaurants, bars, and entertainment options for before and after your session.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Picking the Right Venue for Your Group

After-work outing with coworkers: Kraken in Penn Quarter. Everyone can Metro there from their respective offices, throw axes for an hour, and walk to dinner at one of a hundred nearby restaurants. No ride coordination needed. Check our corporate team building guide for group planning tips.

Late-night activity: Kick Axe, hands down. No other axe throwing venue in the DC metro area is open past midnight, let alone until 3 AM. The 21+ atmosphere after 9 PM makes it feel like a nightlife destination rather than a recreational activity. Pair it with cocktails at a nearby Ivy City distillery.

Date night: Kick Axe's cabin-themed restaurant and patio create a more complete date environment. Order food, throw axes, play board games, catch live music. You could spend three hours there without running out of things to do. Read our date night guide for more ideas.

Stress relief combo: Kraken's axe throwing plus rage room package is specifically designed for people who need to break things. The downtown location means you can rage-room your way through a bad week and be home on the Metro by 8 PM.

Bachelor or bachelorette party: Kick Axe's late hours, full bar, and food menu make it the better choice for celebrations. The Ivy City neighborhood gives you options to extend the night. See our bachelor and bachelorette party planning guide.

DC Neighborhoods Worth Knowing

Ivy City (Kick Axe): Five years ago, nobody went to Ivy City for fun. Now it is one of DC's emerging nightlife and entertainment zones. Republic Restoratives and Atlas Brew Works anchor the craft beverage scene. New restaurants and bars continue opening. The neighborhood still has an industrial edge -- warehouses and loading docks next to cocktail bars -- which gives it a personality that more polished neighborhoods lack. Street parking is usually available, and Uber/Lyft pickups are straightforward.

Penn Quarter (Kraken): This is downtown DC at its most convenient. The Verizon Center (now Capital One Arena), the National Portrait Gallery, and a dozen chain and independent restaurants are within a few blocks. It is also the neighborhood where the tourist crowd and the local crowd overlap, so weekends can be busy. The upside is total Metro access and zero parking stress.

Practical Details for Visitors

Getting there from the airports: From Reagan National (DCA), Kick Axe is about 15 minutes by car or a Metro-plus-rideshare combination. Kraken is directly Metro-accessible from DCA via the Yellow/Green line. From Dulles (IAD), both venues are 45-60 minutes depending on traffic -- Silver Line to Metro Center for Kraken, or Silver Line plus rideshare for Kick Axe.

Dress code: Closed-toe shoes required at both venues. Comfortable clothing that lets you swing freely. DC's business casual crowd can throw in work clothes -- just lose the blazer. See our what to wear guide.

Booking: Both venues accept online reservations and walk-ins when space allows. Weekend evenings fill up, especially at Kick Axe. Book at least a few days ahead for groups of six or more. Browse venues with online booking.

Beyond the District

The DC metro area extends into Virginia and Maryland, and several axe throwing venues serve the suburbs. If you are in Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, or Silver Spring, check our full venue directory to find options closer to home. But if you want the full DC experience -- Metro access, nightlife pairings, and throwing axes in the shadow of the Capitol -- Kick Axe and Kraken are your spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I throw axes late at night in DC?

Yes. Kick Axe Throwing in Ivy City stays open until 3 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, with a 21+ policy after 9 PM. Kraken closes by 10 PM.

Is there axe throwing near the National Mall?

Kraken Axes in Penn Quarter is the closest option -- about a 10-minute walk from the Mall and directly Metro-accessible.

Do DC axe throwing venues serve alcohol?

Both venues have bars. Kick Axe has a full restaurant and bar with food, cocktails, and craft beer. Kraken serves drafts, cans, wine, and cider.

Is axe throwing in DC safe?

Yes. Both venues follow strict safety protocols with trained coaches. Participants receive instruction before throwing, and lanes have protective barriers. See our safety guide.

How much does axe throwing cost in DC?

Expect $30 to $50 per person for a standard session. Kick Axe offers a shorter 35-minute session at a lower price point. Group and event packages are available at both venues. See our pricing guide.

Throw in the Capital

DC has two distinct axe throwing experiences: the full-evening, late-night, restaurant-and-bar atmosphere at Kick Axe, and the downtown, Metro-friendly, rage-room-combo convenience at Kraken. Both deliver quality coaching, social energy, and a welcome break from the intensity that defines this city.

Browse all axe throwing venues in Washington, DC

Explore more axe throwing venues near DC, or check out guides for nearby cities like Philadelphia and Charlotte.