BELFAST — Bell the Cat, a cafe and restaurant just off Route 1 in Belfast, has been around for nearly 19 years, but like the cat who desperately needs that bell, it has been an under-the-radar joint for too long. Now located in the plaza on Starrett Drive (where the old Movie Gallery used to be -- across from Walgreens), this little cafe is putting out a big, creative vibe.

Their Tuesday Open Mic nights has "Cheap Date" written all over it. It's got the perfect formula. On one side of the place, their full restaurant is open from 7:30 a.m to 9 p.m. on weeknights and even later on the weekends. The other side of the big space (divided by what looks like confessional booths) is the Back Room, a large open comfortable space scattered with couches where people can gather and sing, orate or play their hearts out with no cover charge. It's got a new beer, cider and wine bar with local brews on tap for only three bucks or so. (Cheap beer doesn't mean bad beer in this case; some of their brews come locally, like from Andrews (Lincolnville) and Baxter (Lewiston), and from Founders, the number-one Midwest microbrew.)

Bell the Cat has reasonably priced and delish apps after 4 p.m., so conceivably, you and your date or pal can split an $8 nacho plate and a couple of beers and still have a great evening for under $15 while enjoying some acoustic or popular music or beat-your-breast poetry or even some stand-up comedy from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The joint's even got free WiFi.

Next time you're looking for something to do on a Tuesday night, Bell the Cat has got you covered. To find out more visit: Bell the Cat on Facebook.

Cheap Dates is a new series dedicated to scrounging the most amount of fun out of the Midcoast on the fewest dollars.

To reach Kay Stephens, contact news@penbaypilot.com.