Axe-throwing bar to open in Greenwich O2

The so-called 'Boom Battle Bar' currently under construction at the O2 is being billed as an "entertainment battleground full of competitive gaming, plus a premium bar and street food".

The premises will sit on the space that previously housed The Water Margin buffet restaurant and The Loft nightclub.

Promoters say the new venue will provide up to 30 jobs and consist of a quite mind-boggling array of attractions including the aforementioned axe-throwing, plus beer pong tables, pool, pro shuffle boards, indoor ice curling, karaoke, and something called 'Augmented Reality Darts'.

Richard Beese, who co-founded the Boom Battle Bar franchise, said: "We’re thrilled to announce bookings are open for our brand-new branch at The O2 so we can bring the BOOM experience to revellers from all over the world.

"To be in the prestigious O2 and part of this amazing venue has helped push our imagination to new highs, we couldn’t be more excited for customers to experience all BOOM has to offer – we welcome everyone to come together with their mates and dates for a night of friendly competition."

But what about the axe-throwing?

Well, as a technique it's thought to have been pioneered in post-Roman Europe by Germanic tribes like the Franks, and later became popular with Scandinavian Vikings too.

Nowadays, mercifully, we throw them at targets instead of people. The sport was popularised in recent years after its first iterations in north American woodsmen and 'timbersports' contests, and consists of throwing single-headed axes at a target much like darts. But gnarlier.

Now axe-throwing bars and venues like the forthcoming addition to the O2 are popping up all over the place.

Click here for more info on the bar or here for more on axe-throwing.