Would-be lumberjacks will finally have a place to hurl sharp objects through the air toward targets. The Ferndale’s recently departed restaurant Local Kitchen & Bar is slated to be replaced by competitive axe throwing venue called Detroit Axe and a casual neighborhood bar.
The company website recently went live touting “Metro Detroit's first wholly dedicated, competitive, axe throwing arena” at 344 W. Nine Mile, complete with photos of the ongoing transition process. The 3,000-square-foot venue will feature 12 lanes outfitted with wooden targets as well as a pinball machines, dartboards, shuffleboard, bumper pool, and arcade machines, according to a release.
A downstairs space will be refashioned as the Corner Tavern and Game Room with a full bar and menu with items like French dip sandwiches, kale-smoked chicken salads, skillet cornbread, doughnuts, and macaroni and cheese. The restaurant will feature roughly 600 board games, giant Scrabble, and giant Jenga. Because weapons will be flying through the air, Detroit Axe staff will be trained to strinctly monitor alcohol consumption among patrons participating in the axe throwing. Patrons
Hatchet throwing has grown in popularity as a sport in North America over the past decade in part thanks to organizations like Canada’s Backyard Axe Throwing League. This would be one of the first locations in metro Detroit. The Hub Stadium in Auburn Hills also recently opened several axe throwing lanes.
Detroit Axe’s owners Geoff Kretchmer and Brian Siegel (previously of Local Kitchen & Bar) are aiming for an early November opening for Detroit Axe.
Update, Oct. 23, 9 p.m.: This story has been updated with additional information regarding Detroit Axe.
Correction: A previous version of this article misstated that Detroit Axe was part of the Backyard Axe Throwing League. We regret the error.
• Detroit Axe Website [Official]
• All Switcheroos Coverage [ED]