Posted on December 17, 2014

Parenting Alone In Chicago # 17: Bad Axe Throwing

This is number 17 in my series of things to do with children if and while you’re parenting alone. Whether you are divorced, separated or just alone for the day with the kids, I hope these posts can be a guide of things to do with your kids in a city that isn’t set up for kids, Chicago. I’m not just a lawyer, I’m also a dad.

Usually, I talk about things to do with young kids.  With older children it’s harder to make memories so you need to think outside the box when it comes to activities. 

There are various recreational businesses around the world that offer the opportunity to safely blow off some steam, some of these are even in Chicago. If you’re not so big into tackle football or you’re not willing to risk breaking your nose doing jiu-jitsu then this next activity might just hit the spot (pun intended).

From the collection of Canadian pastimes comes the recreational sport of axe throwing at a business called Bad Axe Throwing. You and your friends and/or family (minimum age is 18) will meet inside a city warehouse where, after selecting your preferred experience and paying, you’ll be shown to your lane (or several lanes depending on your chosen price). These lanes will be about ten feet long, primarily comprised of wood, and with walls along each side to prevent you from maybe possibly getting a bullseye on your neighbor’s target. If you’ve paid for it, your group will have an axe throwing instructor to guide you through the learning process. Once you’ve gone through the introduction then you and your group can SAFELY spend your 1-2 ½ hour game however you like, which can include the purchase of a Bad Axe medallion to award to the best in your group.

Bad Axe Throwing is the world’s largest urban axe throwing company. There are over 15 in the US and almost 10 in Canada. Bad Axe Throwing has been featured in articles by well-known resources such as The Denver post, ABC, USA Today, CNN, Fox News, Vice, and Buzzfeed Video. If you find that you really enjoy this then you have the option to join the axe throwing league. This is an 8-week season (with the first week used for learning).
This is a very fresh business concept and is becoming very popular on social media. On a more serious note, divorce can be hard on both the parents and the kids. So whether you’re hoping to spend some time doing something fun your older kids would like or you just want to aggressively release some energy, Bad Axe Throwing is a very good option for you and yours.

Pricing:
• Walk-ins: $20/hr per person
• Common area targets
• No coaches
• Corporate rate: $35/each
• Minimum of 31 people
• Two coaches
• At least 4 targets
• 2 ½ hours of fun
• Bad Axe package: $44.25/each
• Minimum of 6 people (8 people on Saturday)
• One coach
• Two reserved targets
• HEROES (Firefighters, nurses, EMT, paramedics, police officers, military): $35/person
• League: $120/8 weeks (email to sign up leagues@badaxethrowing.com)

Hours:
• Monday-Thursday: 5pm-9pm
• Friday-Sunday: 12pm-11pm

Parking:
• Bad Axe Throwing is located at 165 N Loomis St (near Union Park)
• If taking public transportation then (from my law office) walk 300 feet east then take the Green Line or the Pink Line north. Get off at Ashland then walk 0.2 miles east.
• The closest parking meters will be south of Bad Axe Throwing on W Madison St ($2 per hour).
• There is a paid parking garage 0.1 miles north (1371 W Fulton St).
• There is a Divvy Bike Sharing location at Ada St & Washington Blvd.

Important information:
• Ratings:
• Google: 4.9 stars (786 reviews)
• Facebook: 4.9 stars (136 reviews)
• Yelp: 4.5 stars (67 reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 5.0 stars (217 reviews)
• Minimum age, as stated before, is 18.
• Check their schedule 2 hours before walk-in.
• Try to book weekends 4-6 weeks in advance and weekdays 1-3 weeks in advance.
• CARD PAYMENTS ONLY
• Close-toed shoes required
• Wear layers if visiting in the winter
• 2-week cancellation notice required for refund
• You may bring your own food, drinks, or snacks
• Mini-fridge available
• Music is provided and requests are welcome
• There are opportunities to become paid axe throwing instructors.
• Visitors may be allowed to observe without paying
• Go to https://badaxethrowing.com/gift-certificates/ to purchase gift certificates.
• Phone number: 1-888-435-0001

Bad Axe Throwing is 2.1 miles (10-minute drive or 43-minute walk) from my Chicago law office. Directions below:

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Russell Knight

Russell D. Knight has been practicing family law as a Chicago divorce lawyer since 2006. Russell D. Knight amicably resolves tough cases while remaining a strong advocate for his client’s interests.

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