HOUSTON – For decades, Houstonians flocked to FunPlex, an indoor amusement and theme park in Alief that offered roller skating, bowling, arcade games, a Ferris wheel, and even a cameo in Beyoncé’s 2014 music video “Blow.” But after nearly 40 years, the iconic Alief attraction has officially shut down.
City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas, who represents District F on Houston’s City Council, reflected on the closure, noting that for generations, FunPlex served as a “third space” for families, skaters, and kids growing up on the west side.
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The closure follows another recent loss in the community, the Alief Family YMCA, which shut down in May due to financial challenges and the need to restructure operations for long-term stability.
In December 2024, FunPlex announced on Instagram that it was closing temporarily for renovations, promising a “bigger and better” reopening in 2025.
But less than a year later, that dream ended. The landmark entertainment complex has been sold to a developer, and everything inside the nearly 200,000-square-foot facility is now headed to auction.
The liquidation, scheduled for Sept. 24–25, will sell off assets of the former FunPlex attraction, giving people a chance to own a piece of the city’s iconic venue.
Up for grabs are pieces of Houston nostalgia — from the roller-skating rink featured in Beyoncé’s video and the 40-lane bowling alley to rides like the Ferris wheel and bumper cars. Everything else inside, from arcade games to restaurant equipment and décor, will also be sold off.
Fans and former visitors took to FunPlex’s social media to express their disappointment and nostalgia. Comments ranged from pleading messages like “please open back up” and “come back” to humorous disbelief with “Ya’ll better be trolling” and mournful farewells like “RIP” and “I know it ain’t so.”
These reactions underscore how deeply the venue was woven into the lives of families and youth on Houston’s west side.
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Thomas said the closure is not just the loss of an entertainment venue but part of a larger trend where communities are left with fewer places for safe, accessible activity and connection.
Houston has already said goodbye to Astroworld, and now FunPlex joins that list.
Thomas hopes any new proposal prioritizes not just development but also permanent jobs, economic benefit, and opportunities for families to thrive.
“A neighborhood that loses its third spaces loses a part of its soul,” she said — a reminder that what replaces FunPlex will shape not just the skyline, but the spirit of the community.