Recess | Games, Food & Bar — Restaurant in Tempe

I have been axe throwing a few times at different locations and this was definitely the worse of all three.

Equipment in poor shape: The boards were dry and hard, and the “axes” were actually dulled hatches making it impossible to get the “axe” to stick into the board without using extreme force. All other locations I have been through use a spray bottle to wet the boards before throwing begins to ensure the wood is soft enough and does not crack and break. The other locations also use real axes which are heavier and take far less strength to throw, since the momentum will carry the axe blade through the board.

Safety: The lanes were open and not separated per person. There was a slight barrier about 3 feet long on either side of the board…but to be honest the bounce backs and people throwing axes at different times in conjoining lanes is more of a safety reality than if someone has already walked directly to the board. At other locations I have been to, all lanes are separated individually up to the point where the axe leaves your hand and your foot stops traveling. This was the only location that did not take this level of safety into account.

Customer Service: I want to acknowledge the fact that the customer service rep had very valid reasons for being upset with one of the people in our party who threw the hatch hard enough to crack one of the boards. This person was repeatedly throwing very hard and is an adult and there is no excuse for that behavior. At the same time, I also think that this scenario could have been avoided completely if there was proper equipment that was also properly maintained (mentioned in point 1). Additionally, I think that if this was a concern of the rep, they could have easily come over and kindly asked this person to not throw so hard much sooner than waiting until they were angry about the board breaking and threatening to kick our group out. I would like to mention that prior to any of this happening I had already mentioned the issue about the equipment 3 times and the customer rep completely ignored my concerns, and the rep had already mentioned that they had replaced the board that cracked before we had arrived (so this was a known issue before we got there, and no steps were taken to ensure the equipment was in good condition and the board would not easily be broken again). I think this interaction sealed the deal for me and my friends about our impression of the venue b/c not only could 1/2 of us not participate in the session we paid for due to unusable equipment (could not get the hatch into the board for the whole 2 hours), then we also had to sit through a scolding for an issue that could have easily been avoided by addressing my concerns at the very beginning of the session, addressing the issue with the one group member right away instead of waiting, and even ensuring the replaced equipment was in working order prior to our arrival.

I will not be returning or arranging a group outing to this particular business again. For anyone looking for a fun place to go Axe Throwing I would...

Let me start by the bar tender was nice, she was prompt and no issues there. The food was decent for bar food, chicken benders, too chewy, mozzarella sticks “eh ok.” The lane they gave had the worst boards with deep gashes and holes and thus our axe wasn’t sticking well. The guy who was at the desk and checked us in, short hair, mid twenties, Caucasian, relatively nice. We ask him to change the tv’s to basketball…he leaves never returns…10-15mins later we ask the nice bartender gurl. She replies let me ask my boss and commences to walk to a Caucasian guy, sides shaved, late thirties. Then comes back and states “he said he put it on at the ONE middle tv (this tv sits behind a post which blocks a nice amount of the tv). When asked why we couldn’t get it on the tvs at lane 1 and 2 she said “he stated satellite issues.” All the tvs were on hockey, which would be fine if majority in this establishment were caucasians who liked hockey. We were the only ones in here, on a Tuesday, oh and 1 couple wrapping their game up. I am unsure as to why lie…but shaved sides guy seemed he was watching the TVs and didn’t want to turn to basketball for the black people spending the same amount of money or more as the ONE other couple wrapping their game up. I would not recommend this establishment. The Scottsdale axe throwing was better as far as changing out the excessively used boards…and the service, the guy there was genuinely nice and accommodating, drinks...

The concept of it is fun, but for the price, it isn't worth it. We spent $95 on tickets alone (ridiculous) for two people, and for this price, you think things would be top-notch. No, it wasn't. The board they gave us was already used to the point that there were chuncks of wood on the floor. So the axe wouldn't stick in some places due to that. Also, the service is awful, which did not make sense since we went on a Friday night and there were only two other couples besides us in the lanes. The waiter gave us our safety instructions and then disappeared. I had to go to the bar to request service from the bartender. The bartender was running around like a chicken with her head cut off, and she was giving better service than the actual waiter who was assigned to us! You see your waiter in the beginning, and then they disappear for the majority of the time. I think he checked on us once the entire time we were there. The bartender really made the difference and made the night better with her service. Even the manager was walking around from time to time, and I didn't see him doing anything to improve the situation. The concept is fun, and we had fun, but for $95, go somewhere cheaper with...