WEST LOOP — A much-hyped indoor facility that brings axe-throwing to the West Loop won't be opening this weekend as planned.
Bad Axe Throwing previously planned to host a free open house where neighbors could test their steel-chucking talents Friday through Sunday. Instead, the opening has been postponed until Sept. 23, confirmed Jesse Gutzman, chief axe thrower at Bad Axe.
Owners still need city permits to fix a few electrical issues and install a door on site before they are cleared to open, Gutzman said.
"It's minor work but we want to make sure that the next city inspection goes 100 percent," he said.
Bad Axe Throwing specializes in birthday parties, corporate events, bachelor parties and other celebrations with a lumberjack twist.
The West Loop location, at 165 N. Loomis St., is the Canadian company's first location in the U.S. After the open house, the facility will be open by appointment only.
Bad Axe Throwing has opened 10 locations across Canada since 2014, said company spokeswoman Melanie St. Amour.
Despite a rapid expansion, axe throwing indoors is still a relatively novel idea in Canada, Gutzman said.
"As far as the States, there are axe-throwing and knife-throwing festivals in some Midwest cities, but it's mostly a small, unheard-of sport," Gutzman said.
No experience is required and participants learn how to throw an axe at a target from expert coaches in a safe environment, Bad Axe Throwing founder Mario Zelaya said. Regular admission for a Chicago axe throwing event will be $45.25 plus tax, according to the company's website, and events last about three hours.
While parties will be allowed to bring beer into the facility, throwing coaches strictly monitor throwers to make sure they aren't intoxicated, Gutzman said. Parties are limited to bringing in beer in cans, no hard alcohol of any kind or alcohol in glass bottles is permitted and coaches ensure that participants aren't intoxicated when they arrive at the facility.
"If people want to have a few drinks that's fine, but we want to keep to environment safe," he said. "They can loosen up and have a good time, but we don't have anyone taking it too far."
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