We're open. Birthday person throws for free with a group. Learn More.

FAQ

Frequently Axed Questions


Axe Throwing Basics

What are your hours?

There are 4 Top Notch locations. Three locations in the St. Louis, MO area and 1 location in Austin / Round Rock, TX.  Each location has specific hours of operation.

Downtown St. Louis Top Notch Axe Throwing Hours are:

Tue-Thu 2-8:30 pm, Fri 2-11:30 pm, Sat 12-11:30 pm, Sun 12-8:30 pm

Reservations are the only way to guarantee your axe throwing lane.

St. Charles Top Notch Axe Throwing Hours are:

***Reservations are required Monday – Thursday & Sunday in St. Charles. Book Now

***Tue-Thu 5-8:30 pm, Fri 5-11:30 pm, Sat 12-11:30 pm, Sun 12-8:00 pm

We can open for larger groups during the off hours with advanced notice and paid reservations. Just call us.

Austin / Round Rock Top Notch Axe Throwing Hours are:

Tue-Thu 3:00-9:00 pm, Fri 3:00-11:30 pm, Sat 11:30-11:30 pm, Sun 12:00-8:30 pm

We can open for larger groups during the off hours with advanced notice and paid reservations. Just call us.

Closed-toe shoes are required to throw axes.

top

Can I drink alcohol while I throw axes?

We are BYOB. Our Round Rock, TX, location sells alcohol on site. All MO locations are BYOB only.

Feel free to bring beer, wine, seltzers but no hard alcohol. Glass bottles are allowed. Bring your own cups/bottle opener. We have soda and water available on site. Also, food is allowed. Bring your favorite takeout with you!

IMPORTANT: You must clean up after yourself and your group.

top

Can I bring food?

Yes. You may bring food to all Top Notch locations. You must clean up after yourself and your group.

We also have catering available for parties and corporate team building. The catering menus are on the parties page and the team building page.

Tip – Leave your throwing lanes nicer and cleaner than you found them and everyone can keep having a good time, thanks in advance!

top

How much does it cost to throw axes?

The cost for axe throwing is $35 for 1.5 hours per person at all Top Notch locations. Your reservation includes a safety briefing. You pay when you book online.

Due to the nature of axe throwing, kids age 17 and under must have an adult present at the lane. Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to throw axes. The cost is the same for everyone.

top

What is your address?

Top Notch Axe Throwing has three locations:

1. Top Notch Downtown St. Louis (near the Gateway Arch)  – 314-885-1242
440 N 4th St #170, St. Louis, MO 63102
This location serves the greater St. Louis area including Clayton, Ferguson, Richmond Heights, MO and Collinsville, East Alton, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Glen Carbon, Washington Park, IL.

2. Top Notch St. Charles / Cottleville – 314-885-1242
5055 Highway N, St. Charles, MO 63304
This location serves Cottleville, Creve Coeur, Dardenne Prairie, O’Fallon, Florissant, St. Charles, St. Peters, Weldon Spring, Wentzville, MO.

3. Top Notch Austin / Round Rock – 512-504-7376

1201 S I-35 Frontage Rd Suite 312 Round Rock, TX 78664

Our mailing address is 440 N 4th St #170, St. Louis, MO 63102.

top

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes. You can purchase gift vouchers for our MO locations and Round Rock, TX. You will receive a code via email. Share code as the gift. Can use any time at any location, never expires.

top

Should I make reservations?

Yes. We highly recommend booking online to reserve your axe throwing experience. Space is limited at each location. We accept walk-ins when we have space available. Reservations are the only way to guarantee your axe throwing experience.

Book Now

 

top

What about parking?

Here are our parking recommendations for each location.

Downtown St. Louis

We recommended parking in the Mansion House Parking Garage because we are part of the garage building. The garage address is 400 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102. It’s conveniently located across from the Gateway Arch. Customers can access the garage from N. 4th St. at 3 entrances, but the closest to us is The Gentry’s Landing entrance (400 N. 4th St.). We recommend turning right into the garage BEFORE you pass the Gentry’s Landing building located across from the Gateway Arch. We recommend arriving 15 – 20 minutes prior to your reservation time.

St. Charles Top Notch Location

Parking is available in the area in front of the entrance or in the plaza parking areas nearby.

Austin / Round Rock Top Notch Location

There is a large parking lot in front of the entrance.

 

 

top

Is there a safety briefing?

Yes, we have Axe Masters that will hold a safety briefing with you. To start, you will have an axe throwing briefing with an Axe Master. They will teach you a few throwing skills and give you game ideas.

After about 10-15 minutes of safety and skill advice, the Axe Master will step back and play a supporting role in your axe throwing experience.

top

How do I throw for free on my birthday?

If it’s your birthday, you can throw axes at Top Notch for free with a group reservation of 4+ people within four days of your birthday. At a minimum, the group must have three paying customers. When three people are booked online, then the 4th person, aka the birthday person, can throw for free. Additionally, the birthday person must show their state-issued ID (or equivalent) with your birthday on it when you arrive at Top Notch. The group must book online ahead of time and note it’s for a birthday party. Other discounts cannot be applied to reservations for birthday parties. Directions for booking an axe throwing party online are located here.

top

How does indoor axe throwing work?

Axe throwing is similar to dart throwing and a bowling alley. You will be throwing an axe at a target in your reserved lane. So wrap both hands around the axe handle, lift over your head and aim for that bull’s eye!

BONUS: We also have ninja stars and throwing cards at Top Notch. In other words, we’re super awesome and have even more than axes!!!

top

What should I wear to throw axes?

Closed-toe shoes are required. We also recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing so you can properly throw an axe. You will be lifting the axe over your head.

top

Can I read your waiver?

Yes, here is our basic waiver. We actively update our waiver, and everyone must sign a waiver, on-site while at Top Notch. If you are a parent sending your child with a supervised group, please print AND sign this waiver and have your child bring it with him/her to Top Notch.

top

Safety, Reservations & Groups

Is axe throwing safe?

Yes, we have created a safe axe throwing environment with our own hands. We built this place working side-by-side with our family members. You will need to sign a waiver before throwing an axe. You will be briefed on the axe throwing safety protocols when you arrive. You are required to wear closed-toe shoes to throw axes with us.

top

Are you handicap accessible?

Yes. All locations are ADA accessible making it easy to enter all of our facilities and throw axes once inside.

top

Are there age requirements?

Yes. Due to the nature of axe throwing, kids age 17 and under must have an adult present at the lane. Children under the age of 8 are not allowed to throw axes. We highly recommend one adult per 3 children and one adult per small group of teenagers. Please keep in mind; axe throwing requires good coordination and concentration skills to be successful.

top

Can I bring my axe?

No. We have axes for you. We also have ninja stars and throwing cards.

top

What is the minimum and maximum amount of people for a reservation?

To reserve your own lane, book at least six people. We recommend 6 – 8 people per lane. One lane includes 2 targets. If you have a large group, you will be throwing in multiple lanes.

If your group is smaller than six people, that’s okay too. You may have to share a lane with strangers (or soon-to-be axe throwing buddies). Don’t forget to make a reservation by booking online.

If you want the lane to yourself, you need to make a reservation for six or more people. You don’t need to bring that many people, but you do need to pay for a reservation for at least six people to have the lane to yourself.

top

How do I make a reservation for a group of people when we all want to pay separately?

The easiest way to make a reservation is under one name online. But, if you all want to pay online separately, please agree on one person’s name and use that name in the notes section when you make the online reservation. We will use this “one name” to make sure your group of 12 or less has one lane reserved.

If your group is over 12 people, follow the same process as above, and you will have two lanes reserved.

If it’s easier and you have a few days, call us (314-885-1242) or send us a message and we’ll set up your group reservation via phone.

top

What if I or someone in my party doesn’t want to throw axes? Can I just come hang out in your space?

Only people with paid reservations are allowed in the space. Space is limited, and we want to keep everyone safe.

top

Can I take pictures?

Yes, we recommend taking pictures.

top

Can I book an axe throwing party?

Yes, an axe throwing party is a great way to have fun with friends. We recommend 6 – 12 people per lane. Reservations are required for groups.

Call us at 314-885-1242 or send us a message to make a group reservation. Note – your reservation is complete when you receive a confirmation for us. It’s good to give us a few days to prepare for you.

top

Can I book an axe throwing BIRTHDAY party?

Yes. It is sure to be a super fun birthday party. As a bonus, the birthday person throws for free when you book a group of 3+. Just book the three people online and make sure the birthday person has their ID handy upon arrival – specific birthday booking directions here. Please note it’s a birthday in the note section when booking. The birthday person can throw for free within four days of their birthday.

top

What if I am late? What if part of my group is late?

We recommend arriving 15 minutes early to your scheduled reservation. We have a terrific space; you can explore and get settled in.
You will have one required safety briefing per group. The Axe Master will wait for all group members to arrive before starting the safety briefing. If you arrive late, you will have less time to throw axes.

top

Parking & Public Transportation

We have 3 locations - near the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis, St. Charles, MO, and Austin /Round Rock, TX.

St. Louis Location Detailed Parking & Public Transportation Directions

For our Downtown St. Louis Location: We recommend parking in the Gentry’s Landing Building Parking Area located at 400 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102, and conveniently located across from the Gateway Arch. We recommend arriving 15 – 20 minutes prior to your reservation time.

Parking Garage

We’re located in the Mansion House Parking Garage building (accepts cash, credit, or debit upon exiting). We recommend parking in the Gentry’s Landing Building Parking Area located at 400 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102, and conveniently located across from the Gateway Arch.

Customers can access the garage from N. 4th St. at 3 entrances, but the closest to us is The Gentry’s Landing entrance (400 N. 4th St.). We recommend turning right into the garage BEFORE you pass the Gentry’s Landing building located across from the Gateway Arch.

Street Parking:

Street parking (typically free after 7pm), other garages, and uncovered parking lots all within a couple blocks, are also options.

Metro Link/Public Bus:

If commuting by Metro Link, the Convention Center stop is located on Washington Ave just 2 blocks west of our location.

top

St. Charles Location Parking & Public Transportation Directions

We’re in a plaza off of Highway 5055 N. You can park anywhere in the plaza.

Our address:
5055 Highway N, St. Charles, MO 63304

CLICK HERE FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS

top

Austin / Round Rock Location Parking & Public Transportation Directions

We’re in a plaza with Papa John’s Pizza off of Interstate 35 (Frontage Road). You can park anywhere in the plaza.

Our address:

1201 S I-35 Frontage Rd Suite 312 Round Rock, TX 78664

If you’re using the bus, we’re near the Mays Crossing bus stop. It’s a 2-minute walk.

CLICK HERE FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS

top

Playing & Scoring

Scoring

We recommend a leisurely and fun game of axe throwing. We follow the guidance of the World Axe Throwing League.

Here is handy information to use when you want to make axe throwing competitive:

  1. Match: A game, a.k.a match, consists of each player throwing 10 times. Note: A typical league night allows every participant 4 matches.
  2. Point Leader Starts: Each player should throw 10 times for one match. After everyone throws one match, the scores should be tallied and the point leader should kick-off set 2. Repeat with the point leader after matches 2 – 4.
  3. Scoring:
    • Bull’s Eye: The bull’s eye is worth 6 points.
    • Additional Rings: All rings around the bull’s eye have labeled point values (1-4 points).
    • Blue Dots: Blue dots are 10 points a.k.a. Kill shots. The kill shots are only available on the 10th throw. Otherwise the blue dots are worth 1 point (the value of the ring they are in).
    • Drop: If the axe drops off the target it is worth zero points.

top

Rules

Top Notch Axe Throwing Match Rules:

  1. Stand behind the red line to throw the axe.
  2. All throws must be made: a) 1 hand holding the axe & over or behind the head or b) 2 hands holding the axe & over or behind the head.
  3. All scoring is based on where the majority of the axe head lands on the target. As long as the axe is touching the higher value ring, the higher amount of points is awarded.
  4. To score, the axe must make one rotation or more.
  5. To be a good sport, the point leader should throw first at the start of a set.

top

Axe Throwing Terms

Here are handy axe throwing terms from the World Axe Throwing League:

Axe: technically a hatchet used in all standard competition and at Top Notch.

Lane: one target setup.

Perimeter Wall: the wall that separates throwers from spectators.

Fencing: 9 gauge heavy chain link fencing to separate the lanes from one another as well as the outside social area.

Backboard: plywood backing to support and mount target boards.

Match: a player throwing 10 times in a row.

Drop: an axe that does not remain sticking in the target, and falls out before being retrieved, resulting in 0 points.

top

Throwing Etiquette

  • Always give the person throwing the axe plenty of room. This means at least 4 feet of cleared space around the person at all times.
  • Put the axe in the lane log or on the floor after your set.
  • Wear loose fitting clothing so you can make the full range of motion for axe throwing.
  • Closed toe shoes are required.
  • Like bowling, stay in your lane.
  • Indoor axe throwing is encouraged as a group activity for all ages and skill levels. Please respect the different abilities of everyone.
  • The point leader throws first. The person with the next highest point is second and so on.
  • Consult your Axe Expert if you have questions.
  • Have fun!

top