Punk shows and pinball machines: meet Realms Arcade
Story - by Ella Van Leuven
08/26
Photos - by Naomi Brown
To be frank, if you’re aiming to go out in Boise without draining your wallet or resorting to the basic options – bars, breweries, or basking in hazardous air quality on the verge of heat exhaustion – you’re facing a deeply frustrating endeavor. For those on the hunt for a vintage arcade, trivia night, underground show, or simply a space besides the local bars and coffee shops to hang out with friends, look no further! Local establishment Realms Arcade has all this to offer and more.
Realms is a DIY, family-founded venue that has become a cultural hub and popular third space in the Treasure Valley. The local establishment was founded in June of 2023 by locals Todd Nielsen, Meredith Swassing, and their son Tanner Nielsen. The family took on individual roles within the company, with Todd managing finances, Meredith remodeling and stocking the business, and Tanner working as the company’s manager.
Realms opened after more than a year of planning and construction, done largely by the founders. While Tanner scoured the PNW for vintage arcade games, searching through classified ads and individual sellers, the rest of the family and initial employees worked on painting, electrical work, and many other aspects of the building’s remodel.
I had the opportunity to meet a number of the Realms crew members at Idaho Noise Fest in July, including Meredith and Tanner, to discuss both the history and future of the arcade. It was immediately evident that the group doesn’t just view Realms as a job to get done; it’s something incredibly dear to those involved, and a local institution that inspires genuine connection and action in Boise’s community.
Many of the employees have taken on a wide variety of responsibilities at Realms, including those I had the chance to speak to. Dean Marshall Shalabi works as a bartender, security, and social media manager, and on merchandise design. Spencer Capps, another employee, works on graphic design, makes the pizza sold at the venue, does screen printing for the company’s merchandise, and has even performed at the venue.
Realms has a great number of devoted regulars, and Capps mentioned being a longtime supporter of the business, now turned staff. He attended “the weirdest shows in the early days” and even went so far as to get a tattoo on stage during a show, a tremendous display of dedication to the arcade and venue.
“It sealed the deal, probably”, said Capps. “It’s a little blown out because the bass was rumbling the stage,” with Nielsen adding, “He just really wanted a job here, he committed.”
Many of the Realms employees were introduced to the space by friends, family, indie shows, and even bonds through mutual taste in music. Shalabi relayed his discovery of the location through a trivia night, where he met the younger Nielsen. Capps was recruited after becoming a regular attendee of shows and the arcade, where Tanner began to feel he was aligned with the company’s spirit and personality.
The establishment sets itself apart from many other locations by promoting itself as a third space for all ages. While many other local venues and events revolve around both excessive spending and excessive drinking, Realms strives to not only be a safe space, but also to remain as accessible and affordable as possible for a wide variety of audiences.
Tanner outlined the business’s goals when imagining what their space could be.
“I feel like having a third space for all ages, even adults that like aren't necessarily into like the clubbing bar scene and just want to like come and play some games, maybe have one beer and just like talk about things with people, and you know, it's a different space.”
Realms also employs a unique business model compared to many other arcades. Instead of purchasing tokens or using quarters for individual games, the standard for many similar establishments, guests pay a $10 fee for unlimited free-play on the many vintage arcade games in the establishment.
The deep connection between Realms and Boise’s community is furthered by their methods for booking shows and local events, as the staff described.
“If you connect to [Realms] and you keep coming around, eventually that's how you play shows here. Everything has been pretty booked extremely organically, like in-person or friends of friends,” said the younger Nielsen.
He went on to say, “I think it’s just about being a third space. I feel very proud that people feel like they can express themselves authentically of any identity, any interest. We are all just very passionate about [the community’s] interests here, it’s a very safe space to come to.”
The employees told me about a regular, Sam, who began coming to shows, “playing DDR [Dance Dance Revolution] extensively”, singing in karaoke nights, and is currently founding a philosophy club at the venue. The arcade has personal connections with many members of the Treasure Valley community, and means something individually to each person who walks in the door.
Since it opened in 2023, Realms Arcade has become a significant name in both the going-out scene and the local music industry. The business has welcomed people of all orientations, identities, backgrounds, and walks of life. Realms has been and will continue to be a major facet of the Treasure Valley, and offers a third space for those who seek alternatives to the typical options for a night out in Boise.
Be sure to attend this year’s Realms Fest on September 26th and 27th, featuring two stages, more than 20 performances, local vendors, and many activities for attendees!
Author’s Note: I unfortunately have been on dates with more than one person to Realms, and was therefore recognized by multiple employees who have seen me doing so :( R.I.P.