Hatchet houses have become a popular trend across the Garden State, so if you’re looking to see if this fun activity can still happen during COVID, we’ve rounded up a list of hatchet houses that have reopened with safety measures in place.

hatchet houses

Bury the Hatchet Bloomfield Facebook page

Bury the Hatchet

Bloomfield/Montclair

11:15 am-9:15 pm Fri.-Sun.

$39.99/thrower, $10/non-thrower; sessions are two hours

Hatchet-heads ages 15 and older (minors must have parental supervision) can channel their inner lumberjack with friends and fam, plus take advantage of the BYO food, beer and wine policy. The location in Bloomfield/Montclair reopened on August 7 with weekend-only time reservations. Each lane fits up to ten people and, due to new guidelines, all lanes are private so you won’t have to share your lane with other enthusiasts. You’ll participate in a 15-minute safety and training session before handling any axes (don’t forget to wear closed-toe shoes). If hatchet throwing is your new fave hobby, consider joining Bury the Hatchet’s league.

Walk-in appointments are not open at this time so all guests will need to make a reservation online or by calling 973-842-7725. Upon arriving, participants will be sent a text to let you know that it’s safe to enter the building. Guests are asked to wear masks and will have their temperatures taken before they enter their lanes. The entire facility is sanitized twice daily.

Bury the Hatchet locations in Cherry Hill, Freehold, Matawan/Old Bridge, Paramus, Princeton, Toms River and Woodbridge are currently closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep an eye on each location’s website to get updates about reopening. 

hatchet houses

Chopper’s Hatchet House Facebook page

Chopper’s Hatchet House

1490 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill

11 am-9:30 pm Sun.; 3-9:30 pm Tues.-Thurs.; 11 am-midnight Fri.-Sat.

$25/one hour walk-in session, $40/player for two hours, reserve online

If you’ve mastered darts and are looking for a new challenge, bring your closed-toe shoes and 18-and-older crew to Chopper’s. Keep score using a digital scoreboard, participate in tourneys or challenge your co-workers to a different kind of happy hour. Walk-ins are welcome (6-9 pm Tues.-Fri.; 11 am-6 pm Sat.-Sun.), but reserving an arena online for your group (4-12 players) is the recommended route. While you wait for your turn in the arena, feel free to play video games or pool, watch TV and take pics in the lounge.This locale is BYO, so bring all the food (feel free to get something delivered) and drink you’d like, but no spirits are allowed.

Following social distancing rules, Chopper’s Hatchet House has reconfigured the lines, building entrances and lanes to allow for guests to spread out. Certain lanes have been converted into viewing areas with extra fencing added for safety. Each group will have their own refrigerator to store their food and drinks in. Surfaces, including equipment, are cleaned between groups and sanitizing wipes are available for guests to use. 

Primitive Axe

Blackwood and Glassboro

Blackwood: 3-8 pm Wed.-Thurs.; 3-9 pm Fri.; 11 am-9 pm Sat.; 11 am-6 pm Sun.

Glassboro: 5-9 pm Tues.-Thurs.; 3-9 pm Fri.; 11 am-9 pm Sat.; 12-6 pm Sun.

$40/person (6-24 people) for a two-hour session, $25/person (up to 6 people) for a one-hour session or walk-in

Swing on down to Primitive Axe to try hatchet-throwing with the whole family. Even the kids can take aim at this South Jersey range, as long as they’re 12 or older and have a parent or guardian to sign their waiver. Even the littles, ages 6 to 12, can get in on the action on special kids throw free days. Each group gets a coach that’ll stay with them for the entire session to teach them how to throw, keep score and stay safe. You can also BYO food and drinks to enjoy with your group between turns. Note that Primitive Axe does not allow spectators — everyone needs to throw. Closed-toed shoes are a must

Guests will be required to wear masks and pay attention to distancing markers throughout their visit. The coaches will stay 6-feet away from your group while providing instruction. In addition to sanitizing equipment between uses, there’ll also be sanitizing stations placed throughout the range for guests to use. Groups will have staggered start times to prevent crowding.  

Stumpy’s

Stumpy’s Hatchet House

Delran, Eatontown, Fairfield, Green Brook, Princeton and Upper Saddle River

2-8 pm Sun.; 5-10 pm Wed.-Thurs.; 5 pm-12 am Fri.; 2 pm-12 am Sat.

Hours may vary at some locations

$20-40/person, varies by session length and group size

You can’t aim wrong with Stumpy’s Hatchet House, the country’s first indoor hatchet-throwing venue. Paul Bunyans can already throw down across the state, but keep your eyes peeled for a new location opening in Hudson County. Stumpy’s is BYO beer or wine and has plenty of couches and tables for hanging out, eating and drinking with others (there’s even giant Jenga and more to play between turns!) Step inside a controlled throwing pit (punny names include Brad Pit and Arm Pit) where you’ll learn techniques from skilled coaches before you try being the first thrower to score 21 points. Each pit contains two targets, and throwers must be at least 21 years old and wear closed-toe shoes.

Stumpy’s

At Stumpy’s, pits are always private, so you won’t have to worry about being mixed with another group. For extra safety, alternating pits will be used to make sure groups can social distance throughout their visit. All surfaces will be sanitized before and after your group following CDC and local guidelines.