You will soon be able to drink beer and throw axes at the same time in Knoxville.

Craft Axe Throwing is planning to open Knoxville location in mid-to-late May.

The company is still finalizing their lease on a location and will announce an address in the coming weeks, according to Trent Larkins, Craft Axe Throwing director of marketing.

Each Craft Axe Throwing location is 3,000-4,000 square feet and features a bar and 12-14 ax throwing lanes.

Larkins said ax throwing is a combination of bowling and dart throwing. It has sectioned off lanes like bowling and has wooden targets like darts.

"People can come in here. They can throw axes. We're planning to have a bar at each location. They can drink beer. It's an interesting combination: ax throwing and alcohol," said Larkins.

Craft Axe Throwing has locations in Greenville and Columbia, S.C., Springfield, Mo., and Lincoln and Omaha, Neb.

In addition to Knoxville, the company is planning to open three other new locations in Charleston, S.C., and Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., according to Craft Axe Throwing's website.

Safety with axes and alcohol

Larkins said one the most popular questions he gets about Craft Axe Throwing is how to keep its facilities safe.

Craft Axe Throwing employees called Axexperts monitor the facility and can ask guests to leave if they are being unsafe.

Larkins said at least three Axexperts are on site during weekdays and around five are around on weekends.

"If they see a group getting out of control, they're able to go over to them and (say) 'We're cutting you off. It's time to leave the facility,'" said Larkins.

"And we've had to do that a couple of times, but it's not very regular 'cause I think most people, they realize they're throwing axes and drinking, so they're going to be very responsible."

Larkins said Craft Axe Throwing opened its first location a year ago and so far, they haven't had any injuries.

You will get ax throwing assistance

Craft Axe Throwing's Axexperts also inform guests of the facility's rules and train them to throw axes.

"I'd say it takes 10 or 15 minutes to kind of get the rotation down, but if you start throwing for 10 or 15 minutes you know, you should get comfortable with (axes) sticking in the wood by then," said Larkins.

Craft Axe Throwing participants must be 10 and older, and guests 18 and younger have to have a parent or guardian with them.

Guests can make an online reservation for an ax throwing lane or walk in. Larkins recommends using the online system, so guests can get a lane ahead of time.

Up to four guests can use one lane, according to Craft Axe Throwing's website.