About
BABS Comedy Club exists to create unforgettable comedy experiences where audiences, performers, and students all feel welcome.
Our story
We built BABS because we believe the world can never have enough laughter. Great comedy brings strangers together, creates lifelong friendships, challenges the way we think, and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.
Our goal is simple: when you walk into BABS, you should feel welcome enough to laugh loudly, take creative risks, and be yourself. One motto we live by is, "Everybody is safe, but nobody is safe." In other words, everyone is welcome—but if the mood strikes, you might get playfully roasted like one of our closest friends.
Who built this place?
While the building dates back to around 1910, the comedy club inside it was lovingly designed and built by owner/operator Emily Ramirez and her husband, Chase Maness-- a mechanical engineer, part-time BABS DJ, and co-owner of the building.
Emily leads the creative vision while Chase brings it to life through engineering, technical design, and construction. Together, they've been tirelessly restoring this historic storefront into a welcoming home for comedy in Forest Park.
Curious how it all came together? Check out our building timelapse videos on Youtube!
Why "BABS?"
BABS originally stood for "Badass B!tches," a nickname Emily's friends lovingly gave her years ago. Today, we think every person who walks through our doors is a fellow BABS—because supporting live comedy, local artists, and woman-owned businesses is pretty badass too.
Meet the founder
BABS was founded by comedian, performer, director, producer, and educator Emily Ramirez. Before comedy, she spent a decade as a professional ballerina and teacher/choreographer, and later performed in musicals, including the Broadway National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Today, she brings the same professionalism, creativity, and collaborative spirit to comedy—creating a place where audiences, performers, and students all feel supported while having an incredible time.
Read more about her 25+ year background in the arts HERE.
Why we're different from other comedy clubs
BABS is more than a comedy club—it's a comedy community. Alongside professional stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy, we offer classes for kids, teens, and adults taught by experienced working comedians.
Our goal isn't just to teach people how to be funny. It's to help them discover their own comedic voice and create opportunities to perform. We're proud that several of our students have gone on to become members of the BABS Babes and other paid comedy productions.