I’ve known Tim for a while. We’d see each other at tourneys and, much as I think is the case, he started treating me like a long-lost friend after maybe the second interaction. Hell, maybe after the first one. His pup was one of the first celebrities I knew about in the sport. I was just deeeee-lighted to learn he was part of a crew opening up their own venue, and wasted no time (okay, maybe a little time) getting him to agree to an interview about Taps, Axes & Games (TAG). Here it is!
Axe throwing around the Pittsburgh area is really strong in a lot of ways, but especially in how much the venues (Valhalla, ChillAxe, etc.) support each other – how much support have you gotten from the community in creating Taps, Axes & Games?
How does local, community involvement shift what makes your venue different from other venues across the country?
OMG – The entire axe throwing community has reached out!!! Even from across the pond. To give reference to what my business partner, Brando Horvath (Mr. Bean) and I embarked on in this axe throwing venue journey. We reopened a previously closed axe throwing venue, Lumberjaxes, which closed this location in December of 2024.
This left roughly 20-30 league members without a home. Some ventured to Chillaxe, some haven’t thrown for almost a year, until we reopened. We held a “Paint Party” and over 20 members of our community showed up, we didn’t have enough paint brushes and rollers to give everyone. It was so overwhelming, our hearts and bodies were overflowing with emotions and support.
We even had our friends from Baltimore (Karl and Allan) drive in to do some critical remodeling of our location, even added our dart boards. Brandon and I have to continue to work our day jobs, so this was a marathon not a sprint.
Outside of the physical work, Dina/Rob from ChillAxe, Ryan from Warriors, and Don from Choppers gave expertise support on Insurance, booking sites, waivers, games, etc. The theory is that, if we all talk and communicate, we can all share our experiences and information to grow as a group and succeed in a hard axe throwing world.
What Makes Taps, Axes & Games different… Thats a great question. In today’s world you cannot just be an axe throwing facility, you must diversify.
We specialize in axe throwing, but continue to develop:
- knife throwing
- digital targets
- board games
- steel tip darts
- flash tattoo events
- DnD nights
…and basic board games scattered throughout the venue.
We focus on our surrounding community and embrace what makes axe throwing great — our diversity — and embrace unique and diverse individuals. This means we want families, kids, and all the pets in our facility. We also partnered with a local brewery who specializes in unique craft beer, who also share our commitment to diversity. Check our Abjuration Brewing, known for killer sours, but has a great arsenal of craft beers.
What can people expect from Taps, Axes & Games (TAG)? In like, a “this is new/different from other axe houses” way?
People should have the expectation of TAG sharing our experiences with the outside world of axe throwing.
We’ll hopefully showcase our unique community and how differences are celebrated. We are searching for drag bingo, speed dating, more corporate events, and bringing our local schools and families to enjoy axe throwing as much as we do.
As a parent of an 11-year-old girl, I want to participate with her in something. We start and eventually loose this opportunity as they get older. I can ask most parents and they all say that they wish they had something that bonded them together. Axe throwing is just the platform, but the comradery with children, family, and friends will keep them coming back.
How many lanes are you gonna have? How many leagues? How often will you be doing tourneys/marathons?
So we have 6 lanes or 12 targets, or 3 arenas, however you want to say it… LOL. Thursday has 2 leagues, Premier and Standard and all are tenured throwers, some the best in the world. We’re actively working on forming beginner and social leagues for our Wednesdays and specifically marketing families for Sundays.
When summer comes, youth leagues. Marathons should be one every other month, maybe every month depending on the demand of the community. Tournaments will be different the cost has increased significantly. Chillaxe hosts the US Champs, and we would never interfere, but rather partner and support their cause.
We talk weekly about how we can support them. We are looking for away to create our own tourney, and maybe partner with other in the community to create something new!!!! More details to come!!
What inspired you to create a new venue, especially when so many venues seem to be closing or struggling?
We will never be rich opening an axe throwing venue, we want to be realistic. We just want to keep our community alive and share laughter. So we have to keep our day jobs.
What is the big vision for TAG? What’s the end goal, if any?
The big vision is community, showing our friends and children how our “land of misfit toys” celebrate one another and have passion for each other. We would not have all come together without this platform.
What were/are some challenges you didn’t expect, and how did you overcome them (or plan to)?
So many challenges continue to arise but we’re staying focused and keeping an eye on costs. No Secrets there.
When are you planning to open up?
We opened December 11th, but we’re working on a Grand Opening Date, which we’ll announce once our taproom is completely built.
A standard axe venue interview question: Is TAG gonna be a strictly IATF venue?
Yes
Who else is/was involved (in building up the space, in running it, etc.)?
Brandon Horvath and the entire Steel City Axe Throwing Community.
How are you hoping TAG will be viewed by the axe throwing community?
I hope they see the heart of axe throwing. As I have seen it through them.
If you had to create a tag line for TAG, what would it be?
Come to throw axes, stay for the community.
What’s something you want axe throwers to know about TAG?
It’s home, come check it out…bring your ideas, let’s do it together.
Anyone you wanna shout out?
(dear reader – the list is long, so I broke it out a bit)
Adeline (Queen HBO) painted our logos and IATF lines (with PK), and always helps without question.
Rob/Dina Dye helped not only level our arenas, but partners with us to help build our business day in day out.
Karl (Generic Bald Guy #2) drove from Choppers (after helping them) to help us remodel.
Allan (Spicy Ride) drove from Baltimore to help remodel.
Don from Choppers continued support.
Ryan from Warriors
Jen
PK
Captain
Petros
Showtime
Canexican
Ogre
Spartan
Kristen Strouse
Chris Biach
Smokey
Carmen Sandiego
Crush
Bull
Petros
Max
Taters
Bobba
Streetlights
Smiles
Tish
Ashley Hillard (Captain Chaos)
Brain and Lisa Spoonhoward
and I know I am forgetting so many, but the entire Steel City Axe Throwing Community.
Our staff:
Christine
Cutty and
Dan…All old axe coaches and some of best in the business with groups and forming community through engagement and axe throwing.
Also my Partner Katey, she has been so supportive throughout all this, helping with all the things. She is a local artist and created our Bull, Rosie. We will continue to add more pieces as we grow and find what fits.
