Reviewed · DUBLIN TOURS

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr

★ 5.0 · 35 reviews From $20 Operated by Axe Club · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Axes, targets, and a little friendly rivalry. This one-hour session at Axe Club in Dublin turns a simple skill lesson into a lively group activity, with practice throws, coaching, and a casual competition. I like that you can come alone or bring friends, and I like the instructors’ easy, good-humored approach, which gets beginners throwing quickly. At $20, it is also a reasonably priced way to fill an hour.

The main thing to consider is that you will share the session with other people, rather than having a private lane or private event. The competition is informal, and the venue can hold up to 20 people, so the atmosphere may feel social and energetic rather than quiet or personal.

Key points before you book

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - Key points before you book

  • One-hour session: The experience includes sign-in, a safety briefing, instruction, practice throws, and a casual competition.
  • Beginner-friendly coaching: You do not need previous axe-throwing experience, and instructors explain the technique before the game begins.
  • Solo or group option: You can book by yourself, with friends, workmates, couples, or a larger social group.
  • Shared session format: You will throw alongside other people, with a maximum of 20 participants.
  • Age rules matter: The minimum age is 12, and anyone under 16 must attend with an adult at a maximum ratio of three children to one adult.
  • Dublin 3 location: Axe Club is at the end of Gaelic Street in North Wall, near public transport.

Arriving at Axe Club on Gaelic Street

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - Arriving at Axe Club on Gaelic Street

The activity begins and ends at Axe Club, at the end of Gaelic Street in Dublin 3’s North Wall area. The venue is near public transportation, which is useful if your group is meeting from different parts of Dublin.

You should allow a little time to find the exact entrance and complete sign-in before the session starts. The booking uses a mobile ticket, so keeping the confirmation easy to access on your phone makes arrival simple.

The setting is practical rather than built around sightseeing. You are not coming here for grand architecture or a long guided tour. You are coming for a focused hour of learning a new skill, laughing with your group, and seeing how many axes you can stick into a target.

That straightforward setup helps the experience. There is no long introduction or complicated schedule. Once you arrive, the staff get you signed in and ready for the safety talk.

A few more trips worth weighing up

The first few minutes: safety before the fun

Axe throwing looks like a matter of lifting an axe and letting it fly. It is not quite that simple, which is part of the appeal. The first stage is a basic safety briefing followed by instruction on how to throw correctly.

This is an important part of the experience, especially if you have never held a throwing axe before. The instructors explain what to do, demonstrate the movement, and make sure the group understands the basic rules before anyone starts competing.

The tone appears to be relaxed and friendly, but the safety message is taken seriously. That balance matters. You want an instructor who can keep the hour fun without rushing through the parts that protect everyone around the throwing lanes.

The instruction is also kept fairly brief. You do not spend most of the session standing still and listening. The aim is to give you enough information to start throwing, then improve your technique through practice and coaching.

Practice throws help beginners settle in

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - Practice throws help beginners settle in

After the briefing, you get practice throws before the competition begins. This is where the activity changes from a curious idea into a real skill challenge.

Your first throws may not behave as expected. The axe can bounce, fall short, or miss the target entirely. That is normal. The practice time lets you work out the basic motion without the pressure of immediately recording a score.

Several instructors are praised for giving extra help during this stage. Martin is described as bringing strong energy to a session, while Sam kept a larger group laughing. Devin is also singled out as a good host for a work outing. The names may vary on the day, but the useful point is clear: staff stay involved rather than delivering one explanation and leaving you alone.

You might begin with a simple goal, such as getting the axe to stick. Once that happens, you can start thinking about where it lands and how to improve your score. Even people with different levels of coordination can take part at the same time, since everyone has room to improve.

I like this learning curve. You do not need to arrive athletic, competitive, or confident. You just need to be willing to try an unfamiliar movement a few times.

The casual competition gives the hour a purpose

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - The casual competition gives the hour a purpose

The second half of the session includes a casual, informal competition. This is not presented as a major sporting event, but it gives the hour structure and adds a reason to pay attention to your technique.

You may end up challenging friends, trying to beat a high score, or simply aiming to improve your own throws. That makes the experience work for different personalities. Competitive people have something to chase, while less competitive participants can treat the scoring as part of the joke.

The shared format adds to the atmosphere. You throw with other people in the same session, so there is usually some encouragement, banter, and comparison between attempts. That can be ideal for a birthday, team outing, date night, stag activity, or a casual afternoon with friends.

The drawback is just as clear. If you want complete privacy or a quiet lesson tailored only to your group, this is not the right format. The maximum session size is 20 people, and the event is designed as a social open session.

For many people, that is a benefit rather than a problem. A beginner may feel less self-conscious when everyone is learning, missing, laughing, and trying again together.

Why the instructors make such a difference

The strongest part of this experience is not simply the axes or the wooden targets. It is the way the staff keep the session moving.

The instructors are repeatedly described as friendly, patient, funny, and encouraging. They explain the technique without taking too long, give demonstrations, and continue offering help during the throwing rounds. That matters because axe throwing can feel awkward at first. A patient instructor can turn an early miss into a reason to try again instead of a reason to stand back.

The teaching also seems suited to mixed groups. A work team may include people who are keen to compete and others who are only attending because the group chose the activity. A family group may include teenagers and one adult. A pair of friends may arrive with no experience at all.

The best guidance in this setting is practical. You do not need a long lecture on the sport. You need a clear explanation, a chance to try, and a quick correction when the axe is not landing properly. This session appears to follow that pattern.

The staff also bring what Irish visitors often call good craic, meaning an informal, lively sense of fun. That helps the hour feel less like a test and more like a shared outing.

Who will enjoy the one-hour format

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - Who will enjoy the one-hour format

I would recommend this session most strongly to people looking for a compact activity rather than a full-day attraction. At approximately one hour, it is easy to fit around a Dublin sightseeing plan, a meal, drinks, or another evening booking.

It suits:

  • Friends who want something more active than sitting in a pub
  • Work groups planning a team-building outing
  • Couples looking for an unusual date activity
  • Families with teenagers who meet the age rules
  • Solo visitors who do not mind joining a shared group
  • Stag groups looking for a pre-pub activity
  • Beginners who want a low-commitment introduction

The flexible group size is useful. There is no minimum number of people, so you do not need to assemble a large party to take part. A small group of three can enjoy it, while larger groups can create a lively competition.

The activity also works well for people with different skill levels. You do not have to be the strongest or most coordinated person in the room. The practice period gives you time to find a throwing style, and the informal scoring keeps the pressure fairly light.

The minimum age is 12. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, with no more than three children per adult. The session allows a maximum of nine children and a total maximum of 20 participants, so families should check their group numbers carefully before booking.

Is $20 good value?

At $20 for about an hour, the price is fair for an instructor-led activity with equipment, safety instruction, practice throws, and a competition. You are paying for more than access to a target. The staff teach you the basic skill and organize the session so you can start quickly.

The value is especially good if you already have plans nearby and want a short activity with a clear start and finish. It is also a sensible choice for a group because the cost is predictable and there is no need to commit to a long package.

The price does not appear to include refreshments. One participant suggested that free refreshments would be a useful addition, so you should plan to buy drinks separately if your group wants them. A sauna and cold-water options were also mentioned as part of one visit, but they should not be treated as included in this one-hour axe-throwing booking unless the provider confirms it.

If you are comparing this with a free Dublin attraction, it is not a bargain in that sense. But if you want something hosted, social, and unlike a standard museum or walking tour, $20 is a reasonable spend.

Transport, timing, and practical planning

Axe Throwing Open Session (Dublin) 1hr - Transport, timing, and practical planning

Axe Club is near public transportation, making it practical for visitors who do not have a car. The North Wall location also works for a group meeting in Dublin before heading elsewhere for the evening.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes planning easier because you do not need to arrange a separate pickup location or work out where the session finishes.

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Since the ticket is mobile, you can keep it on your phone rather than printing paperwork.

Wear something that lets you move comfortably, although the supplied details do not specify a dress code. The most useful preparation is mental: expect the first few throws to be inconsistent, listen closely during the safety briefing, and do not assume that strength alone will make the axe stick.

The activity is open to most people, but the provider does not give detailed accessibility information in the supplied booking details. If you have mobility or other participation needs, contact Axe Club before booking so you can confirm whether the setup works for you.

What makes it different from a standard group activity

Many group outings rely on food, drinks, or a simple competition. Axe throwing gives everyone a small problem to solve. You must work out how the axe travels, how much force to use, and how to repeat a successful throw.

That creates good conversation between rounds. People can compare what worked, offer encouragement, and laugh at the throws that go nowhere. The activity has a clear focus, but it does not require everyone to be at the same ability level.

It is also more memorable than a generic team-building exercise. A work group may not remember every detail of a standard meal, but people tend to remember who hit the target first, who improved fastest, and who unexpectedly became the group champion.

The experience is not polished in a formal or theatrical way. Its appeal comes from the simple setup and the staff’s energy. You learn, throw, score, and try again. That honest simplicity is why it works.

Limitations to keep in mind

The one-hour duration is enough for an introduction, but it is not a long training session. If you become absorbed in improving your technique, you may wish for more time.

You also cannot change or cancel the booking for a refund. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended for any reason, so book only when your plans are firm.

Because this is an open session, your group may be sharing the space with people you do not know. That can add fun, but it also means the pace and mood are not fully under your control.

Finally, axe throwing is harder than it looks. The friendly setting should not be mistaken for an instant-success activity. You may hit the target quickly, or you may need several attempts before the axe sticks. The instructors help, but the satisfaction comes from learning the motion rather than being guaranteed a perfect score.

Should you book Axe Throwing Open Session in Dublin?

I would book this if you want an affordable, unusual activity with friendly coaching and a social atmosphere. The strongest reasons are the quick beginner instruction, the practice time before competition, and the instructors’ ability to keep both small groups and larger work outings engaged.

It is a particularly good pick for a group that wants to do something together without spending half a day at an attraction. Solo visitors can also join, provided they are comfortable throwing alongside other people.

Skip it if you need a private session, cannot commit to the booking, or want a calm activity with no physical skill element. For everyone else, this is a lively hour at a fair price, with enough competition to make the target feel important and enough humor to keep missed throws from becoming a problem.

FAQ

Where does the axe-throwing session take place?

The session starts and finishes at Axe Club, at the end of Gaelic Street in North Wall, Dublin 3, Ireland.

How long does the experience last?

The axe-throwing session lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $20.

Can I attend alone?

Yes. There is no minimum number of participants, so you can come by yourself or with friends.

Will I throw axes with other people?

Yes. This is a shared session, and you will throw with other participants. The maximum capacity is 20 people.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age for this event is 12. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum ratio of three children to one adult.

Is the booking refundable or changeable?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

More like this

Dublin Tours, compared.

The full Dublin Tours list →
Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 23,331 reviews· from $90

Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway

Read our review →
Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City Day Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 18,888 reviews· from $89

Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City Day Tour

Read our review →
Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 16,863 reviews· from $34

Guinness Storehouse Entry Ticket

Read our review →
Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 12,924 reviews· from $94

Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway Tour

Read our review →
Dublin to Belfast Black Cab, Dunluce Castle and Giant’s Causeway
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7,954 reviews· from $96

Dublin to Belfast Black Cab, Dunluce Castle and Giant’s Causeway

Read our review →
Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 7,897 reviews· from $48

Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin

Read our review →
Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 6,235 reviews· from $45

Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough & Kilkenny Tour

Read our review →
Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience Dublin
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 6,112 reviews· from $26

Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience Dublin

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Ireland

Pick a coast road, a castle or a counter.