Meet Tom Bentley of Beavercreek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Bentley.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started with a simple idea — to help people escape reality through fun. What began as an axe-throwing facility quickly grew into one of the most unique entertainment destinations in the Miami Valley. Wild Axe Throwing opened with a mission to bring people together through community, culture, and competition — whether it was a night out with friends, a corporate team-building event, or a first date that needed a little edge.

From the start, we didn’t settle for ordinary. We focused on creating a place that felt electric — where every throw, every laugh, and every cheer carried energy. As our following grew, so did our vision. That’s when we expanded into Level Up Pinball Bar, a full-scale retro-arcade and bar next door. Level Up gave guests a second way to play — offering pinball, arcade classics, tournaments, and signature cocktails — all built around the same core values: Community, Culture, Continuous Improvement, Communication, and Responsibility.

Today, Wild Axe Throwing and Level Up Pinball Bar stand as two sides of one unstoppable entertainment experience. We’ve hosted everything from corporate events and charity fundraisers to trivia nights, themed parties, and league competitions. Every event we run — from Battle the Bartender to Sasquatch-sized birthday bashes — is designed to give people a chance to let loose, laugh, and reconnect.

Our story is still being written every day by our incredible team and the community that supports us. We live by our motto — Bigger. Better. Badder. — and we’ll keep finding new ways to deliver unforgettable experiences to everyone who walks through our doors.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close, and that’s what makes it worth it.

When we started Wild Axe Throwing, we were carving out a new concept in entertainment that most people had never tried before. Convincing the public that throwing axes could be safe, social, and wildly fun took time, education, and a whole lot of trust-building. We had to create everything from scratch. From safety protocols and training systems to how we marketed the idea of “throwing sharp objects for fun.”

Then came the growing pains, staffing, training, and maintaining the culture that makes Wild Axe and Level Up special. As we expanded into Level Up Pinball Bar, we doubled our footprint and our responsibilities. Managing two unique yet connected brands under one roof was a balancing act of logistics, creativity, and leadership.

And of course, the pandemic hit right in the middle of our momentum. We had to rethink everything, sanitation, capacity, booking systems, even how to keep our community connected when the world felt disconnected. But instead of folding, we adapted. We used the downtime to improve, updating our systems, tightening our culture, and coming back stronger than ever.

Through every challenge, from long nights of repairs to reworking events hours before doors opened. Our team stood tall. We never lost sight of why we do this: to give people a place to escape reality and have fun.

At the end of the day, the road may not have been smooth, but it’s been our road, paved with sweat, sawdust, and the sound of axes hitting bullseyes. And we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Wild Axe Throwing and Level Up Pinball Bar, we specialize in creating unforgettable experiences that help people escape reality through fun. We are not just an entertainment venue. We are a destination where people come to reconnect, celebrate, compete, and unwind.

On one side, guests experience the primal thrill of axe throwing taught by our expert Axe Masters in a high-energy atmosphere filled with great music, lighting, and personality. On the other side, Level Up Pinball Bar offers the nostalgic buzz of arcade and pinball classics, handcrafted cocktails, and themed events that bring out everyone’s inner kid. Together, these two concepts form one of the most unique entertainment experiences in Ohio.

We are known for our community-driven culture and our ability to constantly evolve. Every event, from trivia nights and tournaments to corporate parties and girls’ nights, is designed with purpose and energy. We do not just host events; we create experiences that make people laugh, cheer, and form lasting memories.

Our team lives and breathes our five core values:
Community – Building connections and giving back.
Culture – Creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Continuous Improvement – Always finding ways to get bigger, better, and badder.
Communication – Being clear, honest, and consistent with our team and our guests.
Responsibility – Upholding safety, respect, and professionalism in everything we do.

What we are most proud of is not just the growth of our business but the impact we have made. We have hosted thousands of events, partnered with local organizations, and created a space that has become a cornerstone of fun in the Miami Valley.

What sets us apart is that we do not settle for average. We focus on energy, atmosphere, and authenticity. Everything we do is built around the belief that people deserve to have an experience that is bigger, better, and badder than anything else out there. That is who we are, and that is how we make sure every person who walks through our doors leaves with a story worth telling.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What We Like Best About Our City

What we love most about Beavercreek and the Dayton area is the sense of community. People here truly support local businesses and take pride in helping them grow. The city has a small-town feel with a big-city heartbeat, filled with people who value connection, creativity, and experiences that bring everyone together. We see it every week when families, coworkers, and friends walk through our doors ready to laugh, compete, and make memories.

There is also an incredible local business network that believes in collaboration over competition. From schools and nonprofits to corporate partners and fellow small business owners, everyone contributes to building something bigger than themselves. That spirit of unity is what keeps us motivated and proud to call this home.

What We Like Least About Our City

If there is one challenge, it is simply awareness. There are so many unique experiences and creative businesses in this area that sometimes people do not realize how much there is to do right in their own backyard. Many residents still travel to larger cities for entertainment because they do not yet know how much Beavercreek and Dayton have to offer.

We see that as an opportunity. The more we showcase what our community can deliver in terms of fun, culture, and connection, the stronger we all become. Our goal is to continue putting Beavercreek on the map as a destination for unforgettable experiences.

Pricing:

• $29.99 per person for one hour of axe throwing
• Private lanes available for groups of 12 or more
• Corporate and group rates starting at $24.99 per person
• Axe leagues, tournaments, and special event packages offered throughout the year
• Entry is free with pay-to-play arcade and pinball machines

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wildaxethrowing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildaxethrowing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildaxethrowing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildaxethrowing Yelp:
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wild-axe-throwing-beavercreek
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leveluppinballbar