March 11, 2019

There are fun new additions at the downtown Escape 605 location, including games and the chance to give back while potentially winning a big pot of cash.

Instead of installing escape rooms as originally planned, the ax-throwing business at 119 W. 10th St. is using the extra space for recreational games and socializing.

“People are so big on social recreation. On the weekends, it gets so busy, and there’s just not enough space to spread out,” co-owner Amy Stockberger said. “We couldn’t get the escape rooms to fit and feel authentic.”

Instead, a lounge-like area with televisions, a drink rail and stools includes five games.

There’s a free jumbo Jenga game, Connect Four and a game where players try to swing a ring over a hook.

For $5, you can play for an hour on the newly installed bocce court.

And finally, there’s Hammerschlagen, where $1 gets you a nail and the chance to be the last one standing in a game that challenges you to hit your opponent’s nail in one motion.

Escape 605 also is starting a new weekly event March 19.

The Axe the Jack fundraiser will sell tickets from 5 to 6:50 p.m. each Tuesday and the drawing will be done at 7 p.m. You have to be there to win.

One winning ticket will be drawn each week and wins 10 percent of that week’s ticket sales. The winner then draws a card from the deck. If the jack of spades is drawn, that person wins the pot. If that card isn’t drawn, 40 percent of that week’s sales goes into the pot, building each week until the jack of spades is drawn.

Half of all weekly sales will go to The Banquet, which serves meals 13 times a week at two locations.

“We’ve seen other bars do this, and the organizations they’re supporting are seeing so much benefit,” Stockberger said. “We’re really excited to get started.”