The original and world's best — BATL (Backyard Axe Throwing League) was invented in Toronto and remains the gold standard. Trained coaches get complete beginners burying axes in 15 minutes. Olympic-level league nights run throughout the year. Birthday parties, corporate groups, date nights — it works for all of them.
Neighbourhood: Leslieville / East End · Address: 25 Booth Ave, Toronto, ON · Hours: Mon–Fri 3pm–11pm | Sat–Sun 10am–11pm
Why Visit
BATL is where axe throwing was literally invented, and the pros running the show make sure even newbies are sinking bullseyes fast. It's social, addictive, and nothing like your typical group activity.
What Makes It Unique
This is the OG axe throwing spot—every other venue in Toronto owes BATL its existence. The vibe is more local league than cheesy party spot, instructors actually care, and the lanes are well-spaced so you aren’t packed in with strangers. Weekly leagues draw serious talent and keep things competitive.
BATL (Backyard Axe Throwing League) in Leslieville is the company that invented the formalized axe throwing bar format — a Toronto-born concept that has since franchised across North America but whose original location on Lakeshore Boulevard East still operates with the energy of the founding idea. Axe throwing at BATL is genuinely more fun than any description of it makes it sound: the combination of physical skill development, immediate feedback, and competitive scoring produces an evening that moves from slightly anxious to surprisingly satisfying over the course of two hours.
The format is simple and effective. Lanes hold 4–8 participants, each throwing axes at wooden targets from a distance of about 12 feet. A BATL coach assigns each lane and provides instruction, safety briefing, and scoring assistance. The targets are marked with point zones, and coaches run tournament formats — round-robin throws, elimination rounds, specific technique challenges — that keep the session structured and competitive without requiring any prior experience. Most people throw their first axe within the first 10 minutes; by the end of a standard two-hour session, most participants can hit the target reliably and some discover a genuine aptitude for the activity.
BATL pioneered safety protocols for indoor axe throwing that have become the standard across the industry — the lane configuration, the throw-line rules, the equipment standards, and the coaching model all developed here and then spread through the industry as the concept expanded. The Leslieville location maintains this safety record with the same protocols.
Group bookings dominate BATL's calendar — corporate team events, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday groups, and any social configuration that wants a shared physical activity with competitive scoring. Walk-in availability exists on weekday evenings but weekend sessions require booking well in advance. The adjacent Leslieville neighbourhood has enough restaurant options for pre-throwing dinner without going far from the venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to go axe throwing at BATL?
No — all BATL sessions begin with instruction from a certified coach who teaches proper technique and safety from scratch. Most first-time throwers are hitting the target within the first 20 minutes. No prior experience is required or assumed.
How long is a BATL axe throwing session?
Standard BATL sessions run approximately 2 hours, which includes safety instruction, warm-up throwing, coached games and tournaments, and wrap-up. This is the right amount of time to progress from beginner to competent without fatigue setting in.
Is BATL good for corporate team events?
Yes — BATL was one of the first venues to develop corporate team-building programming around axe throwing. The competitive format, the physical skill element, and the coaching structure make it particularly effective for groups that want more engagement than a bar outing but less planning than an organized event.
Where is BATL Axe Throwing in Toronto?
BATL's original Toronto location is at 1680 Lakeshore Boulevard East in Leslieville/East Toronto, near the Queen Street East and Leslie intersection. The 501 Queen streetcar runs nearby. Check batl.ca for current location details and booking.