New York State In-depth

New ax throwing locations in Mattituck and Huntington

A visit to Mattituck Cinemas was once just for the purpose of seeing a movie, but since Marc LaMaina got involved, it’s grown into much more, including a Lucharitos outpost and ax throwing lounge, Ax & Smash.

After taking over the theater’s concession stand with a lucharitos burrito bar in 2021, LaMaina found that four of the theater’s eight spaces have been “abandoned” during the pandemic.

“So we wanted to repurpose them,” he says.

Inspired by a trip to the Mohegan Sun, where he visited a go-kart facility with a smaller ax-throwing room, LaMaina explains that this was his “blueprint” for expanding the theater.

Mary Alice Kohs, 62, of Port Washington, plays a classic Target game at Ax and Smash at Mattituck Cinemas. Credit: Randee Daddona

Ax & Smash opened in January with four lanes where ax throwers stand 12 feet from the intended target – a wooden panel with digital games projected onto it, including Candy Crush, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Zombie and Duck Hunt. “All axes are sanctioned by the World Ax Throwing League, so they’re the legitimate, real axes,” says LaMaina, but for those under 12, he recommends using one of the included rubber axes.

Before the fun begins, all participants must watch a five-minute safety video, followed by a 15-minute training session from an “axe master.” Time slots are available for bookings of 60 or 90 minutes.

A classic arcade area, billiards and table tennis tables will soon be added to the layout. Eventually, LaMaina plans to take the two additional theaters and “combine them to build a 13-hole mini putt-putt course,” he says.

Aside from the lounge, Lucharitos was recently remodeled to offer a 1,000-square-foot dining room where customers can enjoy burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, fajitas, and the like. On the drinks front, there are margaritas, sangria, and beer. Snacks can be brought into the ax rooms, but eating and drinking is not allowed on the throwing floor.

By the time LaMaina is done with his expansions, he will have taken on four of the eight theaters while trying to make the space “a hub of activity with things.”

WHEN | WHERE Ax & Smash is located at 10095 Main Rd. in Mattituck (inside the Mattituck Cinemas). Open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 10pm; Saturdays from 12pm to 10pm; and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m

MORE INFO 631-292-0020; Axesmashli.com

COSTS 60-minute sessions: $39 per person; 90 minute sessions: $55 per person

MORE ON THE WAY

Over in Huntington, Carl Mazza and Mario Simone expect to open their third NY Ax brick and mortar location in April. In 2018, the long-standing business partners launched a mobile ax thrower series of the same name for the first time; A permanent location in Farmingdale followed in 2021, followed by Selden in 2022.

NY Ax will have 12 lanes – up to six people per lane – where people ages 9 and up can participate in eight ax throwing games including tic-tac-toe, traditional bull’s-eye and connect four. “It’s real wood, real axes, but we project images onto the board,” says Mazza, to add variety.

Each reservation lasts 60 or 90 minutes; Before you start, expect a five-minute workout on the sport’s how-tos. At the lane, a trainer will be on deck to provide further assistance.

A full bar and foods like pizza, pretzels and chicken fingers will also be available on-site.

WHEN | WHERE NY Ax is located at 325 Main St. in Huntington. It is open Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm

MORE INFO nyaxe.com

COSTS 60-minute sessions: $39 per person; 90 minute sessions: $55 per person

Joann Vaglica joined Newsday in 2015 covering lifestyle and entertainment news. Now she’s on the hunt for delicious and unique foods on Long Island for Newsday’s FeedMe. She also covers the general lifestyle scene on the island.

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