Most axe throwing sessions take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Private parties and corporate groups book 2 to 3 hours. Axe throwing is a physical target sport played in person at a venue - you throw a small axe at a wooden bullseye down an enclosed lane - and the session length you pick decides how much throwing each person actually gets.
Here’s the duration ladder, and what each step buys you:
| Session length | Best for | What fits in the time |
|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 1–2 people, a quick first try | Safety intro, practice throws, one short game |
| 1 hour | 1–4 people, a date or a first visit | Intro, plenty of practice, a game or two |
| 1.5 hours | 5–20 people, birthdays, small teams | Intro, practice, full game rotation, ninja stars and premium axes |
| 2 hours | Parties with food and drinks | Everything above, plus downtime to eat and hang out |
| 3 hours | Big corporate events and buyouts | Multiple lanes, a bracket tournament, catering window |
Session menus vary by venue. Most of our venues sell a 45-minute option; some, including Columbia, start at one hour. Your local venue page lists the exact session lengths it offers.
What actually happens during an axe throwing session?
The clock on a session covers more than throwing, which is why 45 minutes can feel short for a crowd. A typical visit runs in four parts:
- Check-in and waiver (before your slot) - everyone signs a digital waiver and confirms closed-toe shoes. Do this ahead of time online and you walk straight to your lane.
- Coach-led safety intro and first throws - a coach walks your group through grip, stance, and the release, then watches everyone’s first throws. Coaching is included in every session at our venues, not a paid add-on. Most beginners stick an axe in the board inside the first 15 minutes.
- Open practice - the part people underestimate. This is where the one-handed throw clicks and someone in your group discovers they’re secretly good at this.
- Games or a bracket - standard scoring, killshots, or a knockout tournament, depending on how much time is left. Our guide to axe throwing rules and scoring explains what you’ll be playing.
Up to four throwers share one lane and take turns, one thrower at a time. That turn-taking is the single biggest factor in how long you need: double the people on a lane, roughly halve the throws each.
Is 1 hour enough for axe throwing?
Yes - for one to four throwers. An hour is the standard first visit. It comfortably covers the safety intro, a long stretch of practice, and a game or two before the lane resets. Couples and pairs usually find an hour is more than enough, and many are ready to sit down at the bar before time is up.
No - if you have six or more people, or you want a tournament. With six throwers rotating through a lane, an hour leaves each person a handful of turns and no room for a bracket. Book 1.5 hours, or add a second lane, or both.
Two other cases where an hour is too short: a birthday group that also wants to eat, and a corporate team that wants a real competition with standings. Both want 1.5 to 2 hours minimum.
How long is an axe throwing session for a group or a party?
Group sessions at our corporate venues run 1.5, 2, or 3 hours. The number that answers “how much time do we need” is throughput per lane, and our party packages make it concrete: a four-lane package covers 20 throwers for 1.5 hours, and an eight-lane package covers 40 throwers for 1.5 hours.
That gives a rule of thumb you can plan against:
- About 5 throwers per lane per 1.5 hours.
- 10 people → 2 lanes for 1.5 hours.
- 20 people → 4 lanes for 1.5 hours, or 2 lanes for 3 hours.
- 40 people → 8 lanes for 1.5 hours.
If your event includes food, drinks, speeches, or a gift table, add time rather than lanes - 2 hours on the same lane count usually beats 1.5 hours on double the lanes, and it costs less. Our corporate team building guide walks through how those event blocks get built, our axe throwing party planning guide does the same for birthdays, and parties and events is where you send an inquiry.
How early should you arrive for axe throwing?
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your reservation time. Sessions start when they’re scheduled, so arriving late shortens your throwing time instead of pushing it back. That buffer covers three things:
- Signing the waiver (every thrower needs one; minors need a parent or guardian).
- Confirming footwear - closed-toe shoes are required. See what to wear to axe throwing before you leave the house.
- Getting the whole group in the building. Stragglers are the number one reason a session starts flat.
Walk-ins are welcome at our venues, but a walk-in waits for the next open lane, which on a Friday night can be a while. Our guide to whether you need a reservation covers the tradeoffs.
How do you pick the right session length?
Run down this list and stop at the first line that matches you:
- Two people, never thrown before → 45 minutes or 1 hour.
- A date night you want to stretch into drinks → 1 hour, then stay at the bar.
- Three to five friends → 1 hour, or 1.5 hours if you want a winner.
- A birthday group of 8–20 → 1.5 hours with enough lanes for ~5 people each.
- A team offsite with food → 2 hours.
- A company event, 30+ people, catered → 3 hours and a multi-lane package.
Longer sessions also unlock more to throw. The 1.5-hour tier at our venues adds ninja stars and premium axes on top of the standard hatchets, which is a meaningful difference for a group that would otherwise get bored of one target.
What does each session length cost?
Price scales with duration, and each venue sets its own rates. At our Memphis venue, for example, a 45-minute session starts at $20 per thrower, one hour is $25 ($22 for groups of 3+), and 1.5 hours is $35 ($30 for groups of 3+). Columbia starts at one hour: $25 ($22 for 3+) and $35 for 1.5 hours ($30 for 3+). Party pricing at our corporate venues runs $29 per person for 1.5 hours, $37 for 2 hours, and $52 for 3 hours, with lower tiers for larger bookings.
For a full breakdown, see how much axe throwing costs or current pricing. Rates and session menus differ by location - check axe throwing in Memphis, TN or axe throwing in Columbia, SC for exact options, then book a lane.
The short answer, one more time
Budget 1 hour for a first visit with a few friends, 1.5 hours if you’re bringing a group or want a tournament, and 2 to 3 hours for a party with food. Add 15 minutes on the front for check-in. New to the whole thing? Read what to expect your first time axe throwing before you go.