Axe throwing venues combine the complexity of a construction project, a regulated entertainment business, and a hospitality operation. The licensing requirements alone — which vary significantly by municipality — can add weeks or months to your timeline if you don't identify them early. A Gantt chart built before you sign a lease turns an intimidating multi-front launch into a sequenced project where every dependency is visible and every deadline is accountable.
Phase 1: Concept and Market Validation (Weeks 1–4)
Before committing capital, validate that your market can support the venue.
Competitive landscape: Map existing axe throwing venues in your metro area. Most markets support two to four venues before the category saturates. Identify their lane counts, pricing, booking models (walk-in vs. reservation-only), and corporate event capacity. Your differentiation — whether that's a bar license, a larger corporate event space, a different price point, or a unique theme — needs to be clear before you choose a location.
Revenue modeling: Axe throwing venues generate revenue through lane rentals (typically $25–$45/person/hour), corporate events, birthday packages, and food and beverage if licensed. Model at least three scenarios — conservative (40% lane utilization), base (60%), and optimistic (80%) — to establish the minimum viable lane count and understand your break-even occupancy.
Target market definition: Walk-in recreational customers, corporate team-building events, and private parties have different booking windows, spending levels, and marketing channels. Corporate events typically require 30–90 days of lead time, so you need to start outreach before you open.
Gantt milestone: Market validation complete, business model finalized, concept defined.
Phase 2: Site Selection and Lease Negotiation (Weeks 3–8)
Location drives nearly every other decision in the project.
Space requirements: A minimum of 2,500–3,500 square feet for a small venue with four to six lanes. Ceiling height is critical — you need at minimum 10 feet of clearance, and 12–14 feet is preferable. Industrial, warehouse, and flex-commercial spaces are the most common fits. Retail strip malls can work if ceiling height is sufficient.
Zoning and use verification: Before signing anything, verify that axe throwing is permitted under the property's zoning classification. Some municipalities classify it as an amusement or entertainment use, which may require a conditional use permit. Others treat it as a recreation business. Get written confirmation from the local planning department.
Parking: Corporate events and large groups arrive simultaneously. A venue with 10 lanes hosting a corporate buyout of 60 people needs adequate parking nearby — verify that supply before signing the lease.
Lease negotiation: Negotiate a tenant improvement (TI) allowance to offset build-out costs. A $50–$100/square foot TI allowance is reasonable for a space requiring significant renovation. Negotiate for a free rent period during construction.
Gantt milestone: Lease signed, construction permit application submitted.
Phase 3: Safety Certification and Regulatory Approval (Weeks 6–16)
This is the phase that most first-time venue owners underestimate — both in complexity and duration.
WATL/IATF certification: The World Axe Throwing League (WATL) and the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) both offer venue certification programs. While not legally required in most jurisdictions, certification provides liability protection, staff training standards, and industry credibility. The certification process includes facility inspection, axe and target compliance verification, and staff coaching certification.
Local licensing: Depending on your municipality, you may need a general business license, an amusement or entertainment license, and — if you're serving alcohol — a liquor license. Liquor license timelines can run 60–120 days in many states. If your business model includes a bar, start the liquor license application before construction begins.
Insurance: Standard general liability policies typically exclude axe throwing. You need a specialty policy from a carrier that covers active recreation businesses. Budget $3,000–$8,000 annually depending on your state and coverage limits. Your lease may require additional umbrella coverage.
Building permits: Lane construction involving structural modifications (hanging lane dividers, mounting targets, reinforcing walls) requires building permits. Electrical work for lighting and sound systems requires separate permits. Factor six to ten weeks for permit approval in most jurisdictions.
Gantt milestone: All permits approved, insurance bound, WATL certification scheduled.
Phase 4: Construction and Lane Build-Out (Weeks 10–20)
Lane construction is straightforward but sequenced — electrical, framing, and target mounting must happen in order.
Lane dividers: Standard axe throwing lanes are 12 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Lane dividers are typically constructed from 2×6 lumber framing with plywood sheathing. The dividers must be tall enough (minimum 8 feet) to contain errant throws.
Target mounting: Targets are traditionally elm or basswood logs, 15–18 inches in diameter, mounted at a specific height (approximately 58 inches from the floor to the center of the target). The mounting system must be structurally sound and allow for regular target rotation as wood splits.
Lighting: Each lane needs overhead lighting at 50–75 foot-candles at the throwing line. Accent lighting and colored LEDs can enhance atmosphere but must not create glare or distraction at the target.
Safety barriers: The throwing area behind the target must be enclosed or walled off to prevent axe pass-through. Most venues use a solid wall with a backstop layer of additional lumber or rubber sheeting.
Floor surfacing: Rubber flooring at the throwing line reduces slip risk and is required under WATL certification. The lane floor between the throwing line and the target is typically left as concrete or covered with a non-slip surface.
Sound system and decor: Install the PA system, TVs for scoring displays, and any theme decor during this phase — before the lanes are fully operational and before you're trying to work around customers.
Gantt milestone: All lanes constructed and passed inspection, certificate of occupancy issued.
Phase 5: Staffing and Training (Weeks 16–22)
Axe throwing venues are staff-intensive — every lane in use requires a certified coach.
Coach hiring: Plan for one coach per two active lanes, plus additional staff for bar service, check-in, and events coordination if applicable. Many venues hire coaches who are enthusiastic about the activity and train them on the technical standards.
WATL coaching certification: WATL offers an online coaching certification that covers safety protocols, throwing instruction, and league facilitation. All guest-facing staff should complete this certification before opening.
Safety protocol training: Develop your house rules and safety briefing script. Every guest session must begin with a safety briefing covering the throwing line, axe retrieval protocols, and conduct rules. Train all staff on these protocols until they're second nature.
POS and booking system: Configure your point-of-sale system, online booking platform, and waiver collection system. Most axe throwing venues use reservation software like Acuity, Checkfront, or industry-specific platforms like Roller. Set up automated confirmation and reminder emails.
Soft open: Run two to three soft open sessions with invited friends, family, and local influencers before your public grand opening. Use the sessions to identify operational friction, calibrate your briefing timing, and test your booking system under load.
Gantt milestone: All staff certified, booking system live, soft open complete.
Phase 6: Marketing and Grand Opening (Weeks 18–24)
Marketing for axe throwing venues is highly local and event-driven.
Corporate outreach: Build a list of local HR managers, corporate event planners, and office managers in your area. Axe throwing is a top-ten most-requested corporate team building activity in many metros. Reach out directly with a pitch deck, pricing, and availability calendar. This outreach should begin four to six weeks before your opening.
Social media presence: Instagram and TikTok are the primary channels for axe throwing venues — the activity is inherently photogenic. Create content during construction (axe throwing content before the venue opens generates significant organic reach). Set up your Google Business Profile as early as possible to start accumulating reviews.
Grand opening event: Plan a media event in the week before your public opening. Invite local journalists, business bloggers, and corporate event coordinators. Offer a free session and a private bar-sponsored event if you have a liquor license.
Online booking launch: Open your online booking calendar at least two weeks before your grand opening. Offer early-bird pricing to drive pre-bookings that validate demand and generate cash before you open.
Gantt milestone: Grand opening executed, booking calendar at least 70% filled for the first two weeks.
Managing the Critical Path
The longest path in your Gantt chart runs through permitting and lane construction. Any delay in building permits or the liquor license application delays your certificate of occupancy and pushes your opening date. The dependencies look like this:
- Lease signed → building permit application → permit approval → construction start
- WATL certification scheduled → construction complete → WATL inspection → certification received
- Liquor license application → state approval → bar operations launch
Start every regulatory application as early as possible. Submit your liquor license application the day you execute your lease. Submit your WATL certification application as soon as your construction timeline is confirmed. These are the long lead-time items that a Gantt chart makes visible before they become surprises.
Common Scheduling Mistakes
Underestimating permitting timelines: Building permits in urban jurisdictions often take six to ten weeks. Plan for the longer end, especially if your build-out involves structural modifications.
Not accounting for target sourcing lead times: Quality elm and basswood log targets need to be ordered in advance. Many suppliers have four to six week lead times. If your targets aren't on site when construction is complete, your opening is delayed.
Skipping the soft open: Venues that skip soft opens consistently report operational issues on opening day — booking system glitches, safety briefing timing problems, and understaffing during peak hours. Two soft open sessions are worth far more than two more days of marketing.
Not booking corporate clients before opening: Corporate events are the highest-margin revenue category for most axe throwing venues. If you wait until you're open to start corporate outreach, you're leaving a month or more of high-margin revenue on the table. Start the conversations before your opening date is confirmed.
A Gantt chart doesn't make the axe throwing venue business simple — it makes it manageable. Every dependency between phases becomes a visible line. Every regulatory deadline becomes a task with an owner. And every week you save by identifying the critical path early is a week of revenue you capture sooner.