Utah Ax-throwing Venue Adds Pool Tables, Gets Beer License
May 29, 2019, 4:49 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:06 pm
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 28: Ari Evans prepares to throw a hatchet at a wood target wall at Bad Axe Throwing March 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. Evans and fellow Capitol One employees participated in a team building exercise that included teams competing to see who could throw most accurately. Recreational axe throwing is growing in popularity and Bad Axe, which is moving next month to a bigger space in the District of Columbia, has more than twenty locations in the United States and Canada. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A new liquor law that took effect May 14 raised questions about whether some locations could serve alcohol. It listed businesses that can have recreational beer licenses, including bowling alleys, concert venues, miniature golf courses and pool parlors, but did not include ax throwing or karaoke. The commission last month denied license requests from Social Axe and Heart and Seoul Karaoke, both in Salt Lake City.
On Tuesday, Utah alcohol commissioners approved the license for Social Axe Throwing after finding that the addition of the pool and billiard tables on the premises satisfied a new law’s definition of a “recreational amenity.”
At the meeting Tuesday, Social Axe co-owner Mark Floyd told commissioners that they have “done everything” to comply with the law. The business also plans to host nine-ball and three-ball tournaments on the three tables, he said.
Commissioner Thomas Jacobson questioned whether just adding pool tables followed the spirit of the law, noting that other businesses might take this approach as a way to sell beer to customers.
“In my mind, Social Axe has gone above and beyond to show good faith to comply with the intent of the Legislature,” Commissioner Jacquelyn Orton said. “At some point, I think we have to be reasonable.”
