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Washington drafting new rules so patrons can safely throw axes and drink alcohol

caption: Blade and Timber is the only axe throwing business in Washington state with a liquor license. The state is drafting new rules that could pave the way for more businesses in the future.
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Blade and Timber is the only axe throwing business in Washington state with a liquor license. The state is drafting new rules that could pave the way for more businesses in the future.
Courtesy: Blade and Timber

Throwing darts is a classic pub game, but many Washingtonians prefer throwing something else: axes.

Now the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is aiming to toss new rules at businesses that mix alcohol with axes.

At its recent meeting the board set the process in motion to develop new rules for liquor-licensed businesses that want to offer axe throwing as entertainment.

“For the record, I’m not a fan of axe throwing,” said board chair David Postman.

Nonetheless, he voted to go through with a rulemaking process known as CR-101. In this inquiry phase, the board is considering new rules to address safety concerns when allowing a high risk activity.

“The CR-101 does not commit us to any action in the future,” Postman said. “It allows the process to keep going and would not harm the timeline if, in fact, we end up going forward with this.”

Since 2018, the agency has been receiving liquor license applications from businesses that already offer axe throwing. Also, from licensed drinking establishments that want to add it as an attraction.

Only one business in Washington can currently offer axe throwing and serve alcohol. Blade and Timber in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood opened in 2019, but didn’t get approval to serve alcohol until this April.

Owner Matt Baysinger said his liquor license application was denied twice. It took a lot of back and forth with the state before both sides reached a settlement agreement.

“The goal was: how can we create systems, and structures, and safety nets that ensure that axe throwing and alcohol can go hand-in-hand and that it can be done safely?" Baysinger said.

The board granted Baysinger a liquor license for a year, as a pilot program. As part of the settlement, Blade and Timber could only serve a max of two beers per customer.

This settlement could be a blueprint for the new rules being developed; to deal with safety while throwing axes and drinking alcohol.

The Liquor and Cannabis Board is expected to take public comments in November.

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