Star Chen
Google
Had a bit of a strange experience here. Overall, I got a rude and ego-centric vibe from the management, but to be fair, their strictness seems rooted in safety concerns for the customers.
**Here’s what happened:**
I came with two friends for a last-minute visit, so I had no prior knowledge of how the place operated. Since axe throwing is done in pairs, I waited while my two friends went first. As a first-timer, I felt nervous and started watching tutorials on my phone while the coach was talking to them. The space was echoey, and I couldn’t really hear what was being explained.
When I thought it was my turn and approached the coach, he suddenly snapped, saying, “No, I’m not letting her do it—she clearly didn’t want to and wasn’t listening when I explained the safety rules.” He then turned away and refused to let me explain or even apologize. I was stunned—I hadn’t even spoken to him until then.
I went to the front desk to ask for help, and they said they’d call the general manager. While I was waiting, another coach nearby—Shelby—who was incredibly kind and skilled, started giving me tips. He was the only one who made me feel welcome. Unfortunately, the GM came over and immediately told him to stop talking to me. She then launched into a lecture about how I had broken the rules, again without hearing my side.
Even though I apologized and said I understood, she snapped, “No, you couldn’t possibly understand—I haven’t finished talking!” I stayed patient, let her finish, and asked if I could join the next session with Shelby instead. She refused, saying I had to stick with the original coach and that coach assignments are random.
At that point, I asked for a refund.
As I waited for my friends to finish, I began writing this review. That’s when the GM returned, stood behind me, and said, “Hey, are you writing us a bad review?” I said, “Just a mediocre one,” and that led to another heated exchange. She accused me of being disrespectful and inattentive, but finally, I got a chance to share my side of the story.
After hearing me out—and perhaps realizing I was serious about posting a review—she softened her tone. She admitted both sides could have handled things better and gave me four $10 coupons (each session is $30/person, and four people can book a private session) so I could return with a group of four and request **Shelby** as our coach. That was a nice gesture, but by then the experience had already taken a toll.
What could’ve been a fun, low-key activity turned into a surprisingly stressful ordeal. If the original coach or the GM had simply spoken to me calmly and fairly from the beginning, this could have been avoided.
**Final thoughts:**
This place might be great if you already know how to throw or if you're lucky enough to be paired with a supportive coach like Shelby. But if you're a first-timer, be aware—it’s strict, not very forgiving, and definitely not the kind of place where you can relax or learn at your own pace. The rules are only explained once, and if you miss it, there’s little room for second chances.
That said, I’m leaving a neutral 3-star review —credit to Shelby for his kindness and professionalism, and to the GM for eventually trying to make things right and prioritize safety.
Bonus tips:
1. You can join a league if you’re really into the sport.
2. A group of 4 can book a “private session” and request a specific coach —which I highly recommend doing if you go.