Drink beer and throw axes? You’ll soon be able to do both at a new business in Halifax.
Darren Hudson, a fifth-generation sawmill operator from Shelburne County, plans to open the Timber Lounge on Agricola Street in March.
“Axe throwing has always traditionally been a way to unwind. It’s a way of celebrating one’s hard work in the forest industry,” he said.
Hudson, a world champion logroller, has competed in lumberjack sports for years. He’s the mastermind behind the Lumberjack AXEperience in southwestern Nova Scotia, which offers hands-on lumberjack training.
But whatever you do, don’t call his new venture an axe-throwing “bar.“
“No, we don’t use axe-throwing bar,” Hudson explained.
“We’re an indoor, axe-throwing facility and the Timber Lounge, where people can enjoy tastes of Nova Scotia food, sample craft beers from around Nova Scotia as well.”
‘Something different’
Hudson says the Timber Lounge, co-owned by his business partner Marc Chisholm, will be a safe place. Besides the bullseye, they’ll be targeting business groups and other organizations who want to give axe throwing a try.
But they’ll welcome anyone who’s “looking for something different,” Chisholm said.
“We just want to be able to provide a venue where people can do something different. People do bowling, pool, darts. You know, it’s in that genre but people just want to have a new experience.”
Axes and hatchets will be stored safely away from the lounge area — located on the other side of a wood and Plexiglass wall.
Patrons will be able to choose from a hatchet and a larger, double-edged axe.
The Timber Lounge’s furniture and walls will be custom designed from wood leftover from the forestry industry.
The Timber Lounge will be a first for Halifax, but there are others similar to it in Canada such as the chain BATL. In some cities, there are even axe-throwing leagues.
“We’re really happy to be bringing this culture and highlighting our heritage here in the city,” Hudson said.
“There are a lot of hurdles to tackle, but together we’ve been plucking off the things that we needed to do,” Chisholm added.