Exploring Life & Business with Teresa Lo of Astronaut City Comedy Club and Karaoke Bar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Lo.

Hi Teresa Lo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in a small town in Kansas, where my family owned a popular Chinese restaurant. I started working there when I was 12. At the time, I resented the restaurant because I didn’t want to work. I wanted to be doing kid stuff, but looking back, it gave me an early education in hospitality, hard work, and how a business actually runs.

My parents taught me entrepreneurship, but ironically, they didn’t want me to be an entrepreneur. They encouraged me to become a lawyer instead. I ended up pursuing a career in entertainment, where, ironically again, I ended up back in the hospitality business. I’ve been a standup comedian for years, which means I was constantly out at bars or clubs, performing or producing shows. Over time, I realized how much I loved the industry, and I started imagining what it would look like to build a space of my own.

When the opportunity finally came along, I took it. That’s how Astronaut City was born. We opened to the public in September 2025, but in many ways, it was the result of decades of experience and a little bit of kismet coming together.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Astronaut City opened in September 2025, and building a comedy club and karaoke bar from the ground up has been both exciting and challenging. Like any startup, one of the biggest hurdles has been simply making people aware of who we are, what we offer, and where to find us. Fortunately, my background in hospitality management gave me a strong foundation, and I’ve been willing to experiment, adapt, and try new ideas until we discovered what makes Astronaut City unique and what value we can add to the community.
Other struggles we faced are probably what any brick and mortar faces with being open to the public. We’re a bar, thus our business model is selling drinks, and people would buy drinks at other businesses and try to bring them in or they’d get mad when we asked them to buy something. We had people try to sneak in pets. We once had a guy who tried to rip off our artwork on the wall. Luckily, my staff and I have a good sense of humor, and we come back the next night, ready to see what happens next.

We’ve been impressed with Astronaut City Comedy Club and Karaoke Bar, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Astronaut City is a comedy club, karaoke bar, and nightlife venue built around the idea of creating a fun, quirky destination where people can laugh, sing, and genuinely connect. In just a few months since opening, we’ve built a strong community of regulars while always welcoming new guests to discover the space and become part of it.

We host live comedy shows, karaoke nights, private events, and community gatherings. We’re the creator of the San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival, and our signature show New Joke City was selected to be a part of the 2026 Netflix Is a Joke Festival. We wanted to create something for San Gabriel Valley locals that offers the kind of entertainment people often drive to Hollywood for—without having to leave their own neighborhood. Just as importantly, we wanted the atmosphere to feel friendly, inclusive, and supportive.

What I’m most proud of is the reputation Astronaut City has built as a place that supports artists while also delivering a great experience for guests. Every producer, vendor, and performer I work with shares my values around community, creativity, and quality. Life can be stressful, and I want Astronaut City to be a place where people can unplug for a few hours, grab a drink, laugh, and have a genuinely good time.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Astronaut City is a comedy club and karaoke bar so there are different ways comics and singers can perform on our iconic blue brick stage. Comedians can either perform at our open mics, or if they’re looking to be booked on our shows, I typically work with comics I’ve already built relationships with or I scout talent through our open mics and the San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival. Comics can also get booked from our independent producers.

Honestly, one of the best ways to connect is simply by coming to a show, introducing themselves, and becoming part of the community. That tends to be much more effective than sending a cold email. My love language is acts of service, not words!

For singers, our karaoke happens nightly, and everyone is welcome to come perform and have fun. We are a karaoke bar, not karaoke rooms, so singers perform in front of strangers, which can be intimidating, but we’ve created a supportive environment that singers end up loving. The experience at Astronaut City feels like you are putting on a concert for enthusiastic fans, and once people try it, they get hooked.

And for guests who want to support us, the biggest thing you can do is visit us, bring friends, buy drinks, enjoy the shows, and help spread the word. We’re an independent venue, so every visit, purchase, and recommendation really makes a difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theastronautcity.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theastronautcity/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/astronaut-city-arcadia-2
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theastronautcity

Image Credits
Cole Connor
Daniel Sliwa