The first time that I met Paul Sherry and Jess Hellmich, the owners of Dueling Axes (downtowns swankiest axe throwing venue), was at an Experience Columbus event that the wonderful Alexis Caldwell put together at the casino here in town earlier this spring. Lemme tell ya, these guys have been working like craaaazy to get the space ready for its grand opening July 14th, and it. Is. gorgeous.

Dueling Axes | Building Columbus’ Premier Axe Throwing Lounge

The space that they’re located in is inside The Mercantile Building, now called The USCC Building, (right around the corner from The Walrus, for those of us who use landmarks to navigate our way around) in what used to house the United States Carriage Company. The fellas tore it down to the bare brick walls (which are gorgeous in their own right) and their sweat equity has paid off in spades.

The first day that I stopped in to check out what they were up to, the last of the wood flooring had just been laid, the windows were still soaped over, and the light that filtering through the wall of windows that soar up to the vaulted ceilings gave the space an ethereal quality. Sawdust floated and danced through the milky rays of light, the smell of freshly cut lumber subtle under the tang of fresh paint, it was fantastic.

[bctt tweet=”Dueling Axes is BYOB and outside food friendly, swing into any of the surrounding eateries, food trucks, or pack a picnic basket and bring your own. Word to the wise though, liquors are NOT allowed, so keep it to beer and cider. #cookeatexplore” username=”cookeatexplore”]

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of watching the space come together, as they’ve tolerated me dropping in on them as I’ve been downtown, camera in hand, to document not only the stages of the build out, but the moments of time that are so easily lost amongst the never ending to do lists of life. Plus, you know, all of the other adulting that there is to be done when you’re starting a new business, raising (or in Paul’s case, starting) a family, maintaining another full-time job and somewhere in there, sleeping, showering, and breathing. (pretty sure that when we were kids dreaming about the day we were adults, that this wasn’t quite what we’d pictured, but oh man is it fun.)

Paul and Jess’ paths first crossed a few employers back, and watching them interact, you’d think that they’ve been friends for life. Boss’ and companies changed, but their working relationship out lasted the changes, and brought them here, taking what started as an idea through the various stages of planning and construction to the grand opening of Dueling Axes, Ohio’s Premier Axe Throwing Lounge, July 14th, 2018.

What To Expect at Dueling Axes

Reservations are made online, scheduling through their calendar, and email will be sent to confirm your reservation, so if you don’t see that, you’re going to want to try again.

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll check in, and fill out the safety waiver. (You had to have seen that coming.) From there you’re given a crash course in the finer points of axe throwing (plus safety, cause, duh) which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Once in your own lane, the game (and clock on your time) starts.

Dueling Axes is BYOB and outside food friendly, swing into any of the surrounding eateries, food trucks, or pack a picnic basket and bring your own. Word to the wise though, liquors are NOT allowed, so keep it to beer and cider. (again, safety. Pretty sure that no one wants anyone getting truly liquored up and given sharp objects to hurl in any direction, but hey, that could just be me.)

Lane rental starts at $35 an hour and moves up from there. There are a variety of options for larger groups also (ahem, team building anyone?) Groups max out at a 100 people, with the price tag of $2,900 to rent the joint in its entirety for four hours.

Leagues will be starting soon, so make sure that you sign up for their newsletter.

Where to Find Them

Siri (who I have a close personal relationship with, as I’m still lost pretty much anytime I try to go somewhere new) will get you there easily, no matter where you’re coming from.

Their address is 309 S 4th St, Columbus OH 43215.

Rather talk to a person? Call ‘em. They can be reached at 614-221-1600, or, shoot ’em an email at info@theduelingaxes.com if you’d rather not talk to a person.