This past Saturday, I had the chance to check out Chop and Hops at the Sistrunk Marketplace in Fort Lauderdale with a few friends from my kickball league—and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast.
Chop and Hops combines two things you don’t normally pair together: throwing axes and drinking whiskey. And somehow? It works perfectly.
We kicked off the experience by meeting our friendly “Axperts”—yep, that’s what they call the team members who walk you through the rules, help fine-tune your throw, and make sure you don’t, you know, accidentally put an axe through the ceiling. BTW, though I did forget his name, our Axpert was pretty cute. Be sure to tell him I am happily taken, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving it a go. Their energy was contagious, and their coaching definitely helped ease us into the experience.
After a quick safety rundown (and a strong drink from the bar to fuel our competitive spirits, or so I was told), we dove into a game of Cricket. Not the British sport—this version involved hitting specific rings on the target three times each. Think darts meets lumberjack Olympics. There are four rings you need to complete, and whoever fills up their card first wins. Simple in theory… surprisingly competitive in practice.
We had one hour on the clock, and every minute was packed with laughter, cheering, trash talk, and a little friendly rivalry. It turns out throwing axes is part technique, part pure rage release—10/10 would recommend.
Between rounds, we enjoyed drinks from the bar, right on-site, adding a fun social vibe to the experience. The venue itself has a cool, rustic-meets-industrial aesthetic that fits perfectly with the vibe. Plus, Sistrunk Marketplace always delivers on atmosphere.
What really stood out was the staff (experts)—supportive, encouraging, and clearly passionate about what they do. Whether it was giving us tips mid-throw or just hyping up a particularly clean bullseye, they kept the energy high from start to finish.
If you’re looking for something different to do in Fort Lauderdale—a fun way to blow off steam, bond with friends, or just try something new—Chop and Hops is absolutely worth checking out. It’s not just axe throwing. It’s axe-throwing with attitude, cold drinks, and one unforgettable experience.
Check them out here: https://www.chopsandhopsfl.com.
Until next time—aim sharp, drink responsibly, and keep the weekends wild.
CHOPS + HOPS
