Enduring the right of passage, they wait until the clock strikes 12, sporting a large, black "X" on each hand and, sometimes, find themselves hunched over a toilet in celebration.

Every night, as another student turns 21, the tradition continues. The often-crowded bars gain another potential patron, a new member of their target demographic, another body in the bar, waiting in line for a drink.

For bouncers, bartenders and patrons, the nightly induction into the 21-club means a few things -- most importantly, larger crowds.

Jason Dziak (senior-environmental resource management), a bouncer at The Saloon, 101 Hiester St., said he's seen the growing crowds as the year progresses.

"A lot more people have been showing up," he said. "It seems like you can't even move."

Greg Haas (senior-marketing), a bartender and bouncer at the Shandygaff Saloon, rear 212 E. College Ave., said that although he hasn't seen a steady increase in the crowds each night, the busy nights are busier than before.

And with the swelling, younger crowds often come the problems that accompany inexperienced drinkers and bar-goers during their first outings.

"There are a lot of people who get sick," Dziak said.

Haas said he sees many of the same things but has noticed a difference in the way younger patrons drink.

"There's a definite difference in people who go to the bar and go out with their friends," he said.

Typically, he said, it is those who are experiencing their first nights at the bars who tend to get extremely drunk.

Billida Simpson (senior-telecommunications) said she's not only noticed the larger crowds but has been going out with friends celebrating their 21st birthdays.

"I think it's fun because I have more friends to hang out with now," she said. But she added that it's annoying in a way because she's forced to wait outside in line longer.

She said she noticed that the doe-eyed patrons drink a bit quicker than she does.

"I'm kind of a pro," Simpson said. "I know what my body can handle."

Dziak said he once witnessed a byproduct of the bar tour, as he found two women relieving themselves in the men's room trough.

"I caught them while they were [urinating]," he said.

While Haas said he hasn't witnessed anything that out of the normal, he did say he notices the awkward reactions of the barely legal as they get carded at the door.

He said many first-timers act much like he did on one of his first trips to the bar, with a friend who had a duplicate driver's license.

"The bouncer said, 'Backup,' and we both looked at each other and took a step back," he said.

They both soon realized that the bouncer was asking for backup identification, not for them to move.