The Limelite Cafe may not be the center of attention for Augusta's bar-hopping crowd, but its staff makes customers feel like they're the stars of the show.

Located in the Augusta Exchange shopping center, across from the Regal Cinemas and lighted in green, the cafe offers a mix of good food, drink and entertainment.

"It's a great place," said Brooks Taylor, 22, a cafe regular. "They've got a great beer selection, the food's good and the atmosphere is great."

The Limelite serves more than 200 beers and the menu features more than just your basic bar food, including oysters, shark and "deep fried prime Okefenokee alligator tail."

But the prices aren't for the faint of heart.

"When new people come here, they're shocked by the prices," admits bartender Adrienne Shealy, 24. "Some leave right then."

The oysters do list for $10,000, but are on sale for $12.99 without the pearls, and an order of three jumbo chicken fingers costs $6.99.

However, most of the entrees come with heaping piles of French fries, onion rings or chips and salsa.

And the prices don't scare everyone away.

"We have a lot of regulars," Ms. Shealy said.

Many customers are drawn each Tuesday night for the Limelite's weekly pool tournament, and trivia buffs arrive early on Thursday and Saturday night for the cafe's team trivia contests. Winners receive in-house gift certificates.

But Ms. Shealy said there's another reason for the repeat customers.

"The people come here to see us (the bartenders)," she said.

She may be correct.

"The staff here is friendly, and they get to know you real quick," said trivia regular, Kevin Quill, 34.

Then again, people could keep coming back for the "free beer tomorrow" promise in the menu.

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GOING OUT

The Place: Limelite Cafe, 1137 Agerton Lane (map)

Fashion Statement: Eclectic - pin-stripe suits and paint-spattered shorts are equally welcome

Drink of Choice: Rock star martini

Theme Song: Perhaps something by Mr. Petrea's band Horsepower?

It's a Fact: Opened for business on New Years Eve 1999, arriving in Augusta with the new millennium

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday-Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday

Phone: 731-0220

On the Menu: 200 types of beer; wild game, shark, buffalo, alligator, kangaroo; trivia on Thursday and Sunday

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