Hamilton is becoming more and more popular as a destination city in Southern Ontario, and it’s no wonder why. For a long time it’s been stuck in the shadow of its big sister down the QEW (Toronto), but over the past decade the City of Hamilton, Ontario – also known as the Hammer – has become a world-class city of its own.
Now a city of over half a million people, a big influx began due to it being a more affordable option than living in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, the list goes on – but it’s not just cheap rent that is bringing people to this once-thriving industrial steel city.
Situated on the beautiful Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton and the surrounding area provides countless conservation areas, waterfalls, and trails for the outdoor-minded.
It’s not just its the surrounding environment that gives Hamilton its charm. If you think the only restaurant scene in southern Ontario is in Toronto, then you obviously haven’t visited Hamilton for a meal in some time.
Hamilton has exploded in the past few years as a top Canadian culinary destination with a number of amazing restaurants and events that celebrate Ontario’s rich bounty while remaining earnestly community-oriented.
In addition to dining experiences, Hamilton also boasts many award-winning breweries (Merit, Collective Arts, and Grain and Grit just to name a few), as well as a widely recognized cocktail scene (with places such as Bar Sazerac, and L’etranger).
We at BATL Axe Throwing opened BATL Hamilton, our newest location in Canada, back at the end of 2017. that offer the best axe throwing experience possible. Since opening our doors, BATL Hamilton has quickly grown into a community favourite and a top destination within the city for a night out with friends or colleagues. BATL now boasts 18 venues – with Hamilton, Toronto, Pickering, Ottawa, London, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Calgary, and Vaughn in Canada; and Nashville, Novi (Detroit), Chicago, Houston, Scottsdale, Charlotte Loso & Plaza Midwood, Winston-Salem and Orlando in the United States.
BATL Axe Throwing pioneered the sport of urban axe throwing back in 2006, so it’s no surprise that we’re the best at what we do. Our weekly league play is what made us famous, but each of our 18 locations across North America offer other ways to get involved with axe throwing. Our private event group bookings are offered for groups of 2 and up (BATL Premium) and are perfectly suited for any occasion – adult birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate team building, or just an outing with friends. Private event bookings include one on one coaching from our expert staff, followed by a round-robin tournament and playoff. If you’re looking to get involved in our sport with less commitment, each BATL venue also offers weekly public walk-in sessions (BATL Casual) with no advance booking required; just show up and hone your skill! BATL Hamilton offers a fully licensed bar and food menu, meaning all you have to worry about is throwing axes! A visit to BATLAxe Throwing is sure to keep you and your friends entertained and leave a lasting impression. Located conveniently in the Jackson Square area of downtown, BATL Hamilton is easily accessible from Burlington, Stoney Creek, St. Catherines, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and the entire Golden Horseshoe.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth way of getting involved, consider joining an axe-throwing league, taking place on weeknights throughout the year at our BATL Hamilton location. BATL Hamilton’s axe throwing leagues run for 8 weeks, completely under the guidance of our resident axe gurus. Each season consists of round-robin style tournament play, where you’ll throw 28 games against other people in the league, culminating in a top 16 double elimination playoff on week 8. Our leagues are suitable for people of all skill levels, with staff on hand at all times ready to give you tips and tricks to make sure that you’re hitting the bullseye. League play falls under the National Axe Throwing Federation umbrella, the worlds foremost governing body of the sport of axe throwing (of which BATL is a founding member). Being part of the NATF also gives you access to the most advanced statistic tracking in the sport of urban axe throwing.
Simply put: if you live in the Hamilton area or plan to take a trip in the near future, a stop at BATL Hamilton is a must. But, are you wondering what else Hamilton has in store for a night out with friends? Not to worry – Hamilton offers a bounty of options to let you keep the party going after axe throwing.
GO FOR AN ART CRAWL
Hamilton is a city that is currently blossoming with the arts, and the best way to experience Hamilton’s arts scene is at the city’s famous monthly Art Crawls. On the second Friday of every month, James Street North is transformed into a friendly, bustling art market. Stroll through this downtown arts district and take in the many galleries, studios, shops, restaurants that pulse with the rhythm of a truly welcoming, grassroots arts scene.
TAKE IN A SPORTING EVENT
Passion for sports runs deep in Hamilton. Whether you want to cheer on our home team or just get in on the action, Hamilton has the perfect sporting event for everybody. Highlights include the city’s iconic Tiger-Cats and the newly rebuilt Tim Hortons Field, Calder Cup-winning OHL team The Hamilton Bulldogs, and top-ranked golf courses.
TAKE IN LIVE MUSIC
There’s nothing better than capping off an evening with some live music, and Hamilton’s got lots of it to offer. From weekly classical performances by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra to live rock, pop and indie shows at intimate venues such as The Casbah, This Ain’t Hollywood or Mills Hardware, you can be sure that the Hamilton live music scene has something to offer for everyone.
GRAB A BITE AND A DRINK
Hamilton has a seemingly constant stream of new and unique restaurants, breweries, and distilleries. It’s beginning to rival Toronto, and it comes as no surprise. Head straight down James Street after leaving BATL Hamilton to find a wide range of restaurants and breweries are open late, serving mouth-watering dishes and thirst-quenching drinks well into the night.