Unleash Your Inner Viking

Discover Thrills at Iowa’s Premier Axe Throwing Experience – Ironside Axe Club!

Experience the thrill of axe-throwing in Central Iowa with an unforgettable experience that unleashes your inner Viking! Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, Ironside is Ideal for family outings, team-building, date nights, corporate events, holiday celebrations, or unforgettable bachelor & bachelorette parties. 

Learn new skills (or hone your current skills) under the guidance of our trained Axe Coaches as you make memories with your friends and family. We offer axe, big axe, hatchet, and knives at our 11,000 sq ft facility—with indoor bar and 1,000 sq ft outdoor patio & deck! 

We also offer a mobile axe-throwing unit for rent, bringing the thrill of hatchet throwing, knife throwing, and big axe throwing to your doorstep.  Elevate your after-Prom party or explore unique gender reveal party ideas with our exciting, safe, and memorable axe-throwing experience. Unleash your inner Viking—book your adventure now for the ultimate fun in Iowa!

All ages are welcome to join the excitement and embrace their nordic spirit! 

March 22 the Pirates Takeover Ironside Axe Club!

Set Sail for a Legendary Adventure – March 22, 2025 | Noon-10:00pm

All hands on deck! The pirates are invading Ironside Axe Club in West Des Moines, Iowa. Brace yourself for a rowdy, raucous day of axe-throwing, sea shanties, hearty grub, and high-seas revelry.

What’s In the Captain’s Log?

  • Shop the Seaside Markets Like a Buccaneer – Shop local artisans’ wares fit for a captain’s quarters—all day long.
  • Feast Like a Shipwrecked Sailor Returned to Safe Harbor  – Devour Sticky Fingers Food Truck’s mouthwatering fair food from 3:00-7:00pm, prices vary.
  • Axe-Throwing Booty – Don your best pirate garb for $10 axe throwing on shared lanes—all day long.
  • Raise Yer Tankard – Swashbucklers Age 21 & Over: save $1 on Alcoholic drinks, like mead, wine, beer . Grab yer grog and toast to the pirate’s life!
  • Sing a Shanty (Or   Ye Walk the Plank!) – Belt out rowdy sea shanties with Orkes and Trolls from 7:00-9:00pm.

Heave Away, Ye Lads & Lasses

This ain’t just another night at the tavern—it’s a full-blown pirate’s paradise. Gather your crew, don your tricorn hats or Skull & Crossbones, and hoist the Ironside Colors for a night of epic adventure, fierce competition, and stormy melodies!

  • Location: Ironside Axe Club – West Des Moines, Iowa
  • Date & Time: March 22, 2025;  Noon-10:00pm

So what say ye, matey? Are you ready to throw, feast, and sing till the tide turns? Don’t miss the wildest pirate gathering in central Iowa!


New to Axe Throwing?
Here's what you need to know

Why Not?!? It is incredibly satisfying! Almost anyone can throw an axe and have it stick in the target with a little bit of practice. It is all about momentum and form, not strength. At the beginning of your visit, we will teach you a couple of different ways to throw and you can pick the way that best suits you.

We keep safety as a top priority. Each group will have a safety briefing and  be supervised by a Coach during play to make sure all the throwing is done in a safe manner. Closed toe shoes are required at all times.

Closed toe shoes are required. Otherwise, keep it comfortable. You will have to swing your arms over your head repeatedly so tight fitting shirts are not recommended.

Yes, you can come cheer on your friends. If you change your mind and want to throw, we can add you in later.

We have some availability for walk-in  or one hour throwing, but it is best to call ahead  before you come.  Walk in or one hour visits can be booked in advance online. For same day booking it is best to call the range.

It is always best to call or book a lane first.  If you have a group of six or more people you can reserve your lane online up to at least 48 hours in advance.  Otherwise it is a good idea to call first. 

We do provide Beers, Seltzers, Ciders, Canned Cocktails and Wines.   We also have simple concessions like chips, candy and soda available and you are also welcome to bring in food.  Get as fancy as you want.  We suggest Northern Lights Pizza! If you call they will deliver.

No, we are not BYOB. Ironside started serving Beers, Seltzers, Ciders, Meade, Canned Cocktails and Wines in 2021. Be sure to bring your ID!

YES! But all axes brought in from outside the facility will need to be inspected by a coach for approval.

No, as long as the thrower can handle the axe and throw safely. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and waivers must be signed by a  legal guardian. One child 10 or under  is free  per paid adult.

Updated Booking & Cancellation Policy – Effective February 15, 2025

Booking & Deposit Information

  • When booking online, a deposit is required to secure your lane.
  • Walk-ins are always welcome, and no deposit is needed. However, please note that availability is not guaranteed, and lanes are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

We understand that plans can change, and we aim to be as flexible as possible while ensuring fairness for all our guests.

  • Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance
    • You may choose a full refund or reschedule your booking at no extra cost.
  • Cancellations made between 24-48 hours before your booking
    • You will receive a credit for a future visit.
    • Important: Reschedule credits are non-refundable.
  • Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice
    • The full deposit will be forfeited and cannot be refunded or credited.

By booking online, you agree to these terms and acknowledge that cancellation fees are applied based on the timing of your request.

If you need to reschedule or have any questions, please reach out—we’re happy to help make your experience great!

Ironside Axe Club understand that plans can change, and we try to be as flexible as possible, while ensuring fairness for all our guests.

  • Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance
    • You may choose a full refund or reschedule your booking at no extra cost.
  • Cancellations made between 24-48 hours before your booking
    • You will receive a credit for a future visit.
    • Important: Reschedule credits are non-refundable.
  • Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice
    • The full deposit will be forfeited and cannot be refunded or credited.

By booking online, you agree to these terms and acknowledge that cancellation fees are applied based on the timing of your request.

If you need to reschedule or have any questions, please reach out—we’re happy to help make your experience great!

We love kids here at Ironside Axe Club! They are the future of our sport and we built this venue with the idea that it would be welcoming to all types of groups, including families. For the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, Ironside Axe Club does not allow minors, under age 16, to be dropped off for axe throwing. A parent or guardian must remain on-site and supervise their minor child at all time. Youth ages 16-18 may be at Ironside without adult supervision, but Ironside reserves the right to request an adult be present, if the behavior of the teen/group disrupts other throwers or is unsafe.

While throwing axes at Ironside is an experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, we are still throwing sharp objects and have items in our space that need to be treated with respect. Our goal is to provide you that opportunity while making sure that we keep everyone safe and provide all of our guests with a memorable experience. To help us obtain that goal, we want to remind all parents of our expectations for children here at Ironside.

  • We ask that all children be supervised at the range, by a responsible adult, at all times.
  • Weekly leagues are assigned certain lanes. We ask that children remain in the designated league area unless directly supervised by their parent/guardian. Please do not allow children to wander into areas being utilized by other groups. Please respect the safety zone of each throwing lane and remind children not to walk between the tables and the lanes. Adults too!
  • With the exception of the kids axe game and bags, the only things that should be thrown are approved items being thrown in your designated lanes.
  • Our swords and large axes, designated for picture props, are not intended for play. Most of them are sharp and potentially dangerous in unsupervised hands. We ask that they only be used by children during pictures, while under supervision.
  • Please walk at all times, as it is likely people will be carrying knives and axes around the facility. This one keeps everyone safe!
  • We provide several fun games in our lobby and on our lane tables for your entertainment, however those games aren’t fun for anyone if they are missing pieces. All pieces need to remain with the game and not be taken to other parts of the building.
  • We all love a good blanket fort, but please return chairs and skins where you found them.
  • We do not have any furniture or spaces that are intended for climbing.
  • Cheering and laughter are encouraged, however screaming and shouting is not.
  • Children should (Valhalla) only be on the balcony if they are accompanied by their parent/guardian.
  • Children, under age 16, must be accompanied by an adult and waivers must be signed by a legal guardian for all minors, under age 18.