Super Happy Fun Land

Probably the strangest venue I've ever gone to in 40+ years of concerts. It's an old warehouse, lots of stuff around and absolutely NO AC so it's very hot and humid, even at night. Limited parking as well. I will say it is a cool place to see a local artist though, just be aware of the conditions before you go. My son and I got to see a cool band from Japan there.

The exterior is painted with amazing murals and street art. Upon arrival, you immediate know you're in for something unique and different. Then you walk in and realize how unique and different things can really get. Your first words will be something like, "No way this place legally exists". Air conditioning? No, not in here. This place is different. Cleanliness? Absolutely not - not even close. Just play it safe and wear a mask or 2. Need to use the restroom? You should've thought of that earlier, that's on you. Just go outside - it will be a better bathroom experience in every way. There's seating for up to 16 people in what appears to be stolen or abandoned old AMC theater seats bolted to a sheet of plywood. There are a few couches scattered around among the ceiling-high stacks of boxes, crates, and garbage, but sitting on the couches will most definitely cause weeks of itching and the need to burn the clothes you wore. Just stand. And if none of this matters because you're "here for the music", well, I've got some bad news - the sound mixing board is from 1982 (and not in a good, vintage way) and was also last cleaned in 1982. It has fur growing on and in it, and sliding a lever or turning a knob only makes loud static noises come from the speakers and doesn't really do any good. All of the XLR leads are sent to the wrong places. I think the stage monitors were actually set up as microphones? It was hard to work it out because the sound guy didn't show up and it was up to anyone there to figure out the rats nest of the incoherent wiring situation. Thirsty? Again, you should've thought of that earlier. There is a counter with an old refrigerator behind it and the words "BAR" on the wall so you know you're in the right place. The "bartender" stands behind a wooden counter staring directly through your soul. He's not very approachable. Hungry? You got it - should've thought about that earlier. There's a "pizza truck" out back that appears to have broken down sometime circa 2004 and smells like cats have been pissing in it ever since. Not to bash the cats though - they were nice and approachable and willing to accept petting and human interaction, so I gave the place 5 stars.

The place was nice but the promoter sold tickets stated kid friendly and let us in with kids, then kicked us out because we had kids and that meant me and my friends who drove from out of town 3hrs out of the club because they served alcohol. To my surprise because it was a gospel concert

Authenticly unique atmosphere but extremely hot, even with fans. And it had a strong dumpster smell. We left early because of the heat and smell. It was just too much. Employees were super nice though. But not a very safe part of town and very limited parking.

Had fun playing there very unique spot for sure. BUT ITS TOO HOT DUDE SERIOUSLY AHHH. For real dude as an artist im not sure id wanna play here again for the heat. plus the mics were constantly cutting out, happened constantly for every artists that played.

Completely bewildering in the best way. Couldn't stay for the show, just wanted to make a pilgrimage to what I understand to be the oldest DIY space in Texas.

We love this place! Fun for the whole family. Food, games and music. Located in a historic part of Houston. Lodging books up fast so plan ahead. Remember to bring sunscreen because you are going to shine!

I’m surprised this place is something that is actually up and running. I came for an event that was hosted by some girl vendors for clothes & they were really sweet but didn’t work at the actual venue. I wanted to leave right away due to the instant stench when I walked in along w the air that felt instantly dirty & the creepy decorations (don’t know if it’s just like this for spooky season or …. All year round ? & idk I’m a theatre kid but I can not .. it smelled like an old costume room that hasn’t been cleaned in years .) but I didn’t leave because it was a far drive , and the vendors that were there for the event were nice , so I tried to stay positive. The one actual worker who was there from the actual venue (working at the bar) was quite passive. The female restroom was absolutely horrid (nasty, dusty, felt like no one had been in for years) & I was terrified when I was thinking of using the restroom because there were spider webs everywhere … (a little more real looking than your typical Halloween decorations … ) … on top of that, the female restroom is right next to the back exit where people seem to just be able to come in & out & some intoxicated people (including men) would accidentally walk into the open female restroom w no door. When I passed the male restroom on the way back, I noticed (they also had no closed door) that their restroom actually looked clean, from where I was. All in all… It was a very … interesting experience. I think I was terrified, but the girls all had a similar experience … so we were just sweating and accepting it together … (I’m sure other reviews have mentioned the no AC). So, I think I would go back…. if I wanted to experience a haunted house but make it real. (I’m still scared - like was that a joke? Was this building just satire?) It was bad.

Who needs A/C when you've got raw punk DIY energy, cheap food, and even cheaper drinks?? Not me! Come catch a vibe and watch some smaller bands play (some of them it's their first show). Better to come with friends (parking is a little scarce), but if you come alone the cats, stuffed animals, and houston locals will keep you company :^)

If you enjoy the smell of feral cat pee, mold, spider webs & the feeling of being boiled alive, this is your spot. Being quirky and unique is a euphemism dirty & gross. I do like that they feed the cats, and I do love a live music venue. I just needed a long hot shower after being here.

I'm a stinky pizza loving hipster I see no problem in this place honestly it does get a bit hot but they do have a huge fan that helps a lot just stay hydrated with the free water and enjoy the show and environment, love that they allow more underground bands to perform here awesome place to socialize and have an amazing time!!

Four stars for young people who like metal music! There is moshing, but everyone helps anyone down and good atmosphere! Very eclectic and fun! I'm an older adult, 46 years, and took my teens and they loved it!!

This is a quirky little place, there is no other way to describe it! I came here to see my brother perform and when I walked in, I was like WOW! This place is a combination of your favorite childhood toys, a garage sale and some warped dreams! One of the walls was covered in Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and other random knick knacks, while other walls were covered with murals and a giant Cabbage patch doll! This place had so much going on with the random grandma sofas lying around and the movie theater seats in front of the stage. Wow! I will also say they definitely need to invest in a new sound system and some air conditioning! A really fun place, but I must admit that I felt like I needed a shower after leaving.

A grungy warehouse that smells of mold, no heating or air conditioning (as far as I can tell), with cats and probably some bugs around. Old AMC theater seats and couches arranged haphazardly. Most the time is an $8 cover, but I came on an off night and there was no cover. Just a super happy fun spot that you need to check out at least once. You get use to the grittiness, and just enjoy this awesomely weird and fun spot. For the record I came to see a friends avant garde piano piece called Lost Keys (oh, if this could even be called avant garde...there was one piece with a ruined piano board being played with dildo vibrators ha).

Worth a visit for sure, don't get me wrong. This place is more independent than you can probably fathom. I've seen great art and heard some terrific bands here, sometimes all at once. Parking isn't a problem, drinks are cheap, and everyone is friendly and talkative and probably artsy. Expect some post-college couches and rickety folding chairs. Don't be surprised by big bugs. Read up on the acts (or check their MySpace pages) before you drive out to the Heights, because they host alllll kinds of things here. Some things definitely fall under the umbrella of "explicitly not family friendly", but not really in a dirty way. Cover ranges from nothing to about $7, depending on the number and prestige of the bands. They're really good about updating their online schedule, so check it out and impress your date/friends/visiting family with your artsiness.

The name may sound funny, but it is completely appropriate for this hidden place in the Heights. It's not a club, it's not a bar, it's more like an art gallery that is completely free from pretense. From experimental music, to performances that defy description, to impromptu jam sessions, to people who abuse the "fun machine". The owners are super-friendly, there are old couches to relax on all over the place, a nice patio out back, and all kinds of toys and things to play with. Even the bathroom walls are giant chalkboards you can leave your mark on. If you hear of something there that you're even remotely interested in, do yourself a favor and go.

Ok, i will admit, I am probably not the type of person SHFL is trying to connect with. (meaning I am not a hippy or street kid). But i went there for a show, a band I wanted to see prefers to play there, le sigh. I think I get the theme they are going for...but it just ends up looking like a fraked up garage sale...or like the back of a salvation army donation center. The old movie-theater seats are odd, cause you can't move them, so when with a big group of friends, you can't turn to face each other...Bottom line, it was just weird. But if you need a place to let your freak flag fly- knock yourself out, you will be right at home. oh, and did i mention they don't have AC? HOT as can be.

Super Happy Funland has switched locations probably at least a year ago. I've been to the new location about twice now and I have to say it's much more chaotic and unstructured than it used to be, which in my book adds to the fun. The owners are terrific and really talented at putting together the whole theme of fantasy day camp at a montessori school overrun by their hippiesque students and a tour of abandoned childhood playthings like the island of misfit toys if somewhat grimier. The atmosphere is very laid back and allows for experimental art and music without all of the significant posturing that goes into playing at much more self conscious venues. Drinks are sold out of a very unbar like amosphere and may come straight out of the refrigerator. I dont' remember a cover charge, and when I ordered a drink it was very cheap, I think I was asked for whatever donation i wanted to give, but I don't think that is a regular occurence. I have yet to see a band play here yet, but there is an ample stage and fixed seating, which still leaves a tremendous amount of space to walk around and play in. Parking is on the side streets for the most part. If you've never been do yourself a favor and visit at least once. I wouldn't go dressed for high tea as the place more than a little grungy, it's located old cash register wherehouse the owners had to fix up and clear out themselves.

This place is creepy as hell in the best possible way. It's like if a Chucky Cheese got turned into a crackhouse. Dark, musty, and full of dolls and weird shit. The bands they booked fit in with the decor. One of them was a vegan-themed metal/punk band with all the band members dressed as different vegetables, and in the second bands last song, the guitaist got completely naked while playing a song adapted from a Charles Manson poem. My kind of thing, will definitely be back.

My brothers band, as well as some other bands that i know got their start here. While not a great place to check out polished musical acts, this is a great place for bands in the Heights area to hone their skills, have some fun, and learn how to get comfortable performing in a nurturing environment. Did i just use the word 'nurturing' to describe a live music venue? Yes i did. Every city with a budding music scene needs places like this for young bands to cut their teeth. Glad to see Houston has a place like this. Im even more happy that its in the Heights.

I admit it, I loved this place because it was weird and catered to people who want to express themselves in any way their happy hearts desire. The only con I can give the place is that we watched super happy fun dance music but nobody was dancing. In terms of designing space, something must have been off-kilter, because even when the drummer from Achachay screamed "Get off your asses and dance a little!" people made half attempts to stand up to boogey, but found their asses falling back into the theatre seating. Completely unrelated to rating, a sofa from my childhood house was nestled in the back right corner of the place. Symbolized to me how anyone here could find a piece of home in the space.

I came here a few weeks back with my boyfriend, brother, and a few other people. My brother had been raving about this place for months so I was excited to check it out. I gotta say, it's probably one of the most interesting bars I've been to in houston....and i loved it!! When my boyfriend and I first walked in, we spoke to a man sitting at a small table in the front asking us if we wanted to donate to the band that was playing that night. It was completely optional and he didn't pressure us at all, which I liked. Once we walked in, it was kind of a shock. It looks like what you would expect a really creepy person's old garage to look like. There are old dolls everywhere and other nicknacks, but it all adds to the character. The band playing that night was....interesting. They were mostly making noises from their mouths, and I would say it was an interesting type of "music". I think people from the audience came up and started participating as well. The drinks here are tip only. You just ask for whatever beer you want, and then leave some cash in the jar. I really like the system and haven't seen that in any other Houston bar's before. My brother and a friend had told me about how the owners daughter also comes out and plays and talks to the customers. I was keeping an eye out for her but didn't see her unfortunately. Overall, it was a very interesting experience. Not your typical bar or music venue, but still a great place to hang out. There's a nice patio in the back as well. I would definitely come back at some point.

Invest in some AC!!!! Good lord. Also, the performers should be first come! I've been here for 3 hours dawg...I am dumbfounded. I will never come back. I came once and that's all I needed. I usually try to give an in-depth review but man, it was hard considering I've been standing for 3 hours. Godspeed.

Ummm. Interesting. Lock your car. Hit a bar before you go. Nicest people you'd ever find in a junkyard livingroom. They attract good amateur artsy music. Go there to feel underground and cooler than your friends. Neckbeard optional. I give it four stars only to keep the starwhores away and neep this place cool.

You'll never find me here probably more than once a year, but that's at least a visit more than I'd make to their old location which was....stinky, to say the least. This new space is still a bit harsh on the nose, but at least it's more spacious. And the folks who call this place home have also done a pretty bang up job of decorating the vast walls of this former warehouse. They're getting a few more better known acts than in the past, so perhaps SHFL will improve upon some of the lacking weirdness in Houston's music scene since Fitzgerald's seems to have fallen off the deep end. Now a few words about the sound quality here. Once again, this space was formerly a warehouse so it is made of thick concrete, which is NOT known for its acoustic qualities. So if you go to see the headlining band it's a good idea to take some earplugs to preserve your ears for what you came to hear. You can buy some at the bar, too, though. Also, I'm sure that if you frequented the old SHFL then you'll find all of your old hippie friends in residence here. Which is excellent if that's your bag.....

Saw my first show here last night. It's an interesting venue with a great backyard and an affectedly disinterested bartender. Sort of like if you went to someone's house in the 90s and they had their kid sister guarding the fridge to keep the beer supply going. Really liked the place and honestly did not find the area as terrifying as my friends claimed it was.

I'd like to call this place a diamond in the rough...but its more like a mushroom on the top of a pile of cow shit. You know you're in for a long ride when you walk in the door. The seating is ripped out of an old theater and if you aren't cool with hanging out in a squat house or clean bathrooms with functioning toilets are a must, I would say steer clear of this quaint location in the industrial haven of Houston TX. And yes, that is a cat walking across the stage not a hallucination. All that said the staff is friendly and this place is a ongoing "Art Instilation". Meaning there is tons of stuff piled everywhere for you to look while you are afraid to sit down on the sketchy furniture during the show. Lucky for you the piles are all for sale and I bet 25 cents goes a long way in the Garage sale seciton.

This place is certainly interesting and you should visit it just to see all of the stuff inside. The owners are very nice but this place just isn't somewhere that I feel comfortable. It's in a more industrial part of town so it doesn't seem to be somewhere that people stumble upon. It was pretty empty when we went. They have a few beers available for purchase but there's not really a bar so unless you are going to see a show there, there really isn't a reason to hang out there. I won't be back and this place would have gotten 1 star if it weren't for the nice owners. Oh, and if you are a germaphobe this isn't your place. It's dusty, smells like cat pee and looks and smells like a underground goodwill.

An interesting place indeed, but for sure not my type of scene. The place is a little hidden and appears to be in the middle of nowhere, however I was there on Saturday and was able to find the place easily.

This vinue is absolutely trash. I wasn't expecting much concidering the location but not only did this not meet my expectations it made me never want to come back ! There was no air conditioner, it was dark and smelled ransed. The man at the front made me feel uncomfortable when asking for the $5 entry fee and not to mention the random guy playing guitar not even apart of the show. Not to mention the $5 just got me a sharpie marker dash on my hand ! Happy Fun Land ? More like Halloween town.

The place was full of overgrown toys. There was plenty of seats. It made my allergies go crazy! Their drinks are free but they ask for donations. The doormen had really bad body odor. Perfect place for stinky hipsters and punks!

This place is ok...but at least go once in your lifetime. It's not the cleanest place, really creepy inside and out (considering in a bad part of town), and I'm pretty sure it breaks all health code violations (a roach crawled over my foot). First off their website needs to be updated, I'm sure it was the first website invented. The parking is awful because there is no true place to park basically you see a spot go for it. They don't sell the best drinks but they didn't stop us from bring some in. It's a chill place, workers pretty creepy but nice. It will be a memorable night if you go there. I imagine the people who created in were on acid through the making of it.

OK, my review is based on the five minutes I spent here, so please take it with a grain of salt. We went to Super Happy Fun Land to meet a friend - her cousin was supposed to be DJing a party there, and I'd always wanted to check out the space. We arrived around 9pm, and the place was empty save for about 5 people sitting in the theater-style chairs. The walls were covered with graffiti and kitsch - something I would have found AWESOME my freshman year of college, but at this point I just felt old and out of place. Fiance referred to Super Happy Fun Land as the kind of place you go for an acid trip - old couches, colorful walls and trippy music. The party of five people weren't providing much of a party (they were just sitting), and I didn't even know where there was room for dancing (since the dance floor was covered with theater chairs). We moved on, it was for the best.

Don't go during Houston summers!!! There is no real air conditioning there. Of course, there are a few fans (too few). I was there for an event, but I had to leave midway through the performance because my husband got sick from being over heated. Dirty bathrooms.

Ya'll seriously have to come out tonight to hear PW Covington (calls himself a poet) try to convince Houston's best that he is a 'combat warrior'. Don't be fooled guys - this guy got kicked out of the Air Force in under two years, has never held a job, lives off welfare, and tries to convince others he is an 'accomplished poet.' He refers to Open Mic Nights as events where he was "Invited to speak at" and seriously dishonors our brave men and women U.S. Veterans with his wildly overblown war stories. (he loaded cargo planes in the air force - - - - .) He uses fake documents to convince those he is more than what he is and self-publishes his poetry books (which are riddled with type-o's and horrible grammar.) He claims to have 'PTSD' and claims to be 100% mentally disabled for his less than 2 years as a cargo loader in the Air Force. Enjoy the show! With PW Covington - a show is exactly what you will get!

I LOVE how different this venue is. Last time I went was when Mad Conductor was playing and it was amazing. Very interesting people and lots of fun definitely.

Oh boy, I thought when I read about this place, "Super Happy Fun Land." It sounds like a cheesy Japanese theme park, and the website doesn't really help dispel any myths to this effect either. I was very pleased when I arrived though. If you're into the funky art scene, you'll feel right at home. The place is an artist studio / gallery during the day and a music venue at night. Everything is donation run, so its pretty cheap. I saw a show featuring a signed band and 3 unsigned ones for $7. They've got beer and wine (also sold on a donation basis). I'm pretty certain they don't have a liquor license, but who really cares? They've also got board games galore if the band isn't your cup of tea. The sound quality is my only complaint. I'm not surprised by this fact, as the place is very cheap. I didn't get a chance to really look at the equipment they're using, but it seems pretty decent, which leads me to believe the guy in charge of the sound is going deaf; the highs just sounded totally jacked up. Super Happy Fun Land is certainly a place to see, and you should at least give it a chance. Maybe you'll discover a new cool local band.

Hippies mostly run by hippies that live there. The beer is free, except they want donations. Actually I think now they probably make you pay and don't call it donations anymore. At the old location they use to have free beer with donations. This place use to be in a house in the Heights which I thought was a better location. Now it's in the Warehouse district in some old warehouse. They have no AC or heat. Actually they do it's just too expensive for them to run because the place is so open and big inside. It's very dirty inside and full of dust and garbage. I've seen a few shows here. It sounds awful because the whole place is concrete. Super Happy Fun land has been mostly known for "Noise" music. They'll have the occasional hardcore/punk shows but it's mostly strange talent less people that don't know how to play their instruments. Last time I went which was years ago, the cover to get in seemed a little high for such a shit hole. I don't think this place has ever been cleaned since they moved into it.

One of the strangest venues I've been to and feels a bit like a bad fever dream.