Maniax Is Opening Its Second Viking-Themed Axe-Throwing Queensland Joint on the Gold Coast
Hurl hatchets, blow off steam and sink drinks surrounded by Viking decor while overlooking the ocean.
"Generally the person who listens the best, who listens to the axe-pert, wins the axe-throwing competition." That's what Aaron Hocking, Maniax's Head of Sales and Marketing, has observed at the Australian chain of hatchet-hurling venues. They're comforting words for anyone who has ever been intrigued by the concept, but might've held off giving it a try because they thought they wouldn't be any good at it — aka most of us, probably.
"People come and beat their bosses," Hocking continues, with a trip to Maniax popular for group-bonding sessions.
"The stereotypical thing, a big burly guy, generally loses. It's normally the smallest person who is the best axe-thrower, because they're not trying to throw it too hard. It's about technique, not about how hard you throw it."
If you're keen to follow that advice, Maniax is about to launch its next venue — the chain's eighth in Australia since first launching in 2014, and its second in Queensland since setting up shop in Brisbane in 2018. Complete with a bar with ocean views, the brand is calling level one of the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise home, opening to customers on Thursday, August 4.
"You're all on the same level," Hocking explains, and he isn't talking about the new Maniax's physical location. Instead, everyone tends to come to the brand's whole concept — that'd be blowing off steam by slinging sharp blades at a target — with zero experience, learning the skill that is axe-throwing anew.
The Gold Coast venue follows the same setup as Maniax's other locations, including the aforementioned Brisbane joint, two sites in Sydney, two in Melbourne, and one apiece in Adelaide and Perth. By the end of the year, the chain has plans to add another three or four outposts, too. No matter which spot you're heading to, patrons get flinging in special axe-throwing lanes, with the Surfers Paradise venue featuring 11 single lanes and four double lanes. And no one lifts a hatchet without being shown the ropes — and taught all the necessary safety essentials, crucially — by one of Maniax's axe-perts first.
From there, folks can choose between a range of blade-hurtling activities — think solo or small group sessions, axe-throwing events for larger parties, and also date-night options (because the couple that hurls hatchets together stays together, clearly). And, if this seems like your kind of sport, there's even a competitive league.
As for how it all works, it's comparable to darts. Basically, you chuck axes at a board and try to hit a bullseye. Don't even know the first thing about picking up a hatchet? Again, that's completely to be expected, which is why those lessons are included in every session, as well as in the league competition. And, the axe-throwing experts are also on hand to help even when you think you've mastered the basics.
Decor-wise, it's easy to pick the theme. "A Viking-themed utopia" is how Hocking describes it, complete with shields, helmets, horns and furs. Fans of The Northman, take note.
The Gold Coast spot is also home to Maniax's new bar concept, Ragnar and Sons, where you can sip Viking cocktails and craft beers. The beer menu skews local, with brews on offer from Burleigh Brewing, Black Hops, Precinct Brewing and Lost Palms Brewing.
And if all that blade-chucking works up an appetite, Maniax isn't doing food in-house at Surfers; instead, it's partnering with local businesses on dining packages, which customers can pre-purchase. A burger joint will provide the obvious, while pizzas and grazing boards are also on offer.
Find Maniax on level one in the Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise — opening on Thursday, August 4. Visit the venue's website for further details and to make a booking.
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