Every fourth Saturday of the month, the Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave., transforms into a cosmic comedy arena where astrology meets stand-up in the form of Astrobabe.
The interactive show, created and co-hosted by comedian Ameerah Sanders, invites audiences to engage in a unique guessing game of trying to determine a comedian’s zodiac sign based on their set.
With an emphasis on participation, humor and a little bit of chaos, Astrobabe has become a beloved monthly event in Chicago’s comedy scene.
“A lot of people are hesitant about going to comedy shows because they fear being the target of jokes,” Sanders said. “With Astrobabe, we create a dynamic where the audience gets to joke back. It’s a fun exchange of power, fostering a space where everyone can participate.”
Sanders—originally from Atlanta and later Kansas City, Missouri—moved to Chicago and sought to establish herself within the local comedy scene. Instead of navigating the rigorous open-mic circuit again from scratch, she built her own stage with Astrobabe.
A devoted fan of both comedy and astrology, Sanders merged her two passions into Astrobabe, which launched in January 2023.
The show started by featuring lineups composed entirely of comedians who shared the same zodiac sign, with one mystery guest mixed in. The goal of the audience was to guess who the “imposter” was among that month’s sign.
Over time, Sanders evolved the format into something more fluid, allowing for a wider range of comedians while maintaining the core guessing game element. Now, Astrobabe features comedians representing a mix of signs, and after each set, audience members propose their guesses for that artist’s sign.
Sanders, who plays host, asks audience members to explain their reasoning, which often leads to hilarious and unexpected revelations.
“The goal is to be as messy as possible,” Sanders said. “I love when people say things like, ‘You remind me of my terrible ex, so you must be a Scorpio.’ And then sometimes, they’re absolutely right.”
Astrobabe is carefully curated to be a safe space centering women, femmes and queer performers, Sanders said. She ensures the lineup reflects its mission, often limiting the presence of straight, cisgender men to a single slot per show—if any.
The result is a safe, celebratory environment where performers and audiences alike can lean into the fun of astrology without fear of judgment, Sanders said.
“People love to dismiss astrology because it’s something women enjoy,” Sanders said. “But for many, it’s a tool for self-reflection and validation. This show allows people to embrace it in a lighthearted, engaging way.”
Building on Astrobabe’s success at the Lincoln Lodge, Sanders has expanded the brand with Astrobabe Deluxe, a pop-up version featuring headliners and extended audience interactions.
For Astrobabe Deluxe, audiences are tasked with guessing the comedian’s sun, moon and rising signs—as opposed to just their sun sign, Sanders said.
Sanders hopes to take the pop-up show on tour this summer, with stops planned in Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles; Atlanta; and New York City, she said.
Astrobabe’s next Chicago show is on April 26 at the Lincoln Lodge. Tickets are available here, and updates are regularly posted on Instagram.