Toss a few back and throw an ax: A new ax-throwing bar coming to Milwaukee's east side

Relax, drink beer and throw axes?

That's the idea behind a new ax-throwing bar that will open at 1924 E. Kenilworth Place on Milwaukee's east side.

AXE MKE will be opened by Marla and David Poytinger, the owners of the mini-golf tavern Nine Below.

“Think of a cross between bowling and darts,” Marla Poytinger said in a news release. “You can rent a lane or two, grab drinks from the bar and kick back for some friendly ‘lumberjack-style’ competition. It’s insanely fun.”

AXE MKE will have several throwing cages, a full bar and private event space in the 4,000-square-foot venue.

David Poytinger sees the new bar as part of developing a destination for "experimental entertainment." The new bar will be within walking distance of Nine Below, Landmark Lanes, the new cat cafe and other restaurants.

The Poytingers also own Splash Studio, a painting bar in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

“Axe throwing is a sport that has traditionally been done outside or in industrial warehouses," Marla Poytinger said in the release. "We’re bringing it downtown and adding some exciting new elements to make it perfect for an adrenaline-filled adventure, date, private event or even corporate team building.”

AXE MKE should open this summer, according to the release. Construction will begin immediately on the former laundromat.

AXE MKE will be the city's second ax-throwing venue. The first is scheduled to open at Bay View's Bounce Milwaukee in a few weeks. The lanes for Paul Bunyan style fun are under construction.

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Sarah Hauer can be reached at shauer@journalsentinel.com or on Twitter @SarahHauer and Instagram @HauerSarah.