Welcome to The Yard: Reno’s Newest House Venue

By Caydie Tampac

Photos by Kayla Duane

You see your friend all dressed up, ready to go out for the night, but when you ask them where they’re going, they tell you that they’re going to The Yard. Um … who’s yard? The Yard, run by Zac Lane Arroyo and Anthony Santos, thrives as the neighborhood’s cozy gathering for live entertainment from local artists and bands. What else could bring the close-knit small-town community of Reno together than the comfort of a backyard with the energetic atmosphere of live music?

Crowdsurfing among the lively crowd. Photographed at The Yard by Kayla Duane 9/20/25.

In the summer of 2025, Arroyo and Santos ran The Yard to host shows for bands in and out of Reno. The two are not only behind the scenes, but also on the stage as members of the band Freaks and Geeks. They have even performed at their own venue; they balanced managing The Yard, setting up stage equipment, and ensuring the sound was running smoothly, just the two of them, while also performing as Freaks and Geeks.

“It’s a little bit stressful. Playing and also running a show is definitely a lot,” Santos nervously laughs, “probably won’t do it again.”

The Yard started when Arroyo and Santos wanted to host a “summer-house-show-kickoff”, which was initially going to be at Santos’ house before he moved. While planning the shows, they realized that they needed more space. While performing as Freaks and Geeks, they wanted to play more shows but couldn’t find venues to host them until the idea sparked to turn a huge backyard into what would soon become The Yard. It was once known as a popular show venue called Rat Race Records ran under the previous owner. Arroyo continued to live in the very same house, which already had a reputation as a house venue and allowed the duo to rebrand it as the perfect spot to host shows. 

“Okay, well, we want to play more shows, but we can’t get booked like that, so why don’t we just play at our own house and host a show?” Arroyo recalls the birth of The Yard.

Arroyo understands the struggle of finding venues to perform and stresses the importance of artists having a place to play music. Outside of bars, Arroyo recognizes the lack of spaces for acoustic performances. They focus on broadening the local music scene by booking acoustic acts that provide a warm atmosphere, with the audience sitting down and admiring the music in the cozy backyard of a small neighborhood. The main mission of The Yard is to create a welcoming space for anyone to play and hang out.

The Yard loves to meet and support talented artists from all over, enriching and exposing Reno to new music. In The Yard’s history, they have welcomed bands in and out of Reno, such as I’ve Never Been Here Before and King Sheim, all the way from Seattle. Santos adds that they try to give touring bands outside of Reno, who struggle to find a venue, the opportunity to play at The Yard. Other bands that they have welcomed from out of state into their backyard are Anyone Awake and Farewell Dylan from their Aug. 10 show.

Santos says that they attempt to include their friends’ bands in their shows, such as Restless Romantics and Canless Valley. Arroyo expresses gratitude for them “helping us out and running sound and setting things up.” By collaborating with their fellow musically-inclined friends, they strengthen the bond of the talented artists that make up Reno’s music scene.

When reminiscing about their favorite past shows, The Yard had held a charity show for Trans Support Reno, raising money for a good cause while simultaneously making lasting memories with friends. The final show of the summer was perhaps the most memorable, combining snappy rock and roll with the theatrics of stage boxing. Local Reno artists Sebastian “Doberman” Hatzi of Ignoramus and Eddie “El Guapo” Alonzo of Faded Shawties came head-to-head in the ring on Sept. 20 in a hilariously thrilling boxing match.

Hatzi of Ignoramus on bass. Photographed at The Yard by Kayla Duane 9/20/25.

Alonzo of Faded Shawties on guitar. Photographed by Kayla Duane 9/20/25.

“That was an amazing show,” Arroyo praises. “I think it meant a lot to have a spot for them to come home from tour and to have fun and release their EP, too, so it was great.”

Arroyo and Santos aren’t new to being involved in the music scene. In addition to running a show venue and playing in a band, Arroyo and Santos also work at the popular Reno show venue The Holland Project and community radio station KWNK. They consistently coordinate shows and events, and even join the audience themselves. From meeting each other, Arroyo and Santos knew that they wanted to be in a band and host shows, and that’s precisely what they have achieved.

“That’s what we want to build at the end of the day, just to have a good spot,” Santos asserts.

“It’s important for people to open up their houses and let people come and play,” Arroyo agrees, “Otherwise, DIY music ends up dying out.”