Spring has been in the air around State College, and that means many outdoor seating areas are starting to get crowded.

For some people, outdoor seating is a pleasant change in warmer weather.

"It's just nice to go outside, have a drink and enjoy the weather," Ryan Bleam (junior-information sciences and technology) said.

It seems as though many people have been sharing the same sentiments lately, judging from the crowds outside bars such as the Sports Café and Grille, 244 W. College Ave., where Bleam spoke over a cold beer last week.

Joe Bann, manager of The Deli, 113 Hiester St., said he sees more customers around this time of the year, mainly because of the changing weather.

"We see an increase that comes with both our outdoor-seating area that we have and just the fact that there is nice weather," Bann said. "By this time, people are tired of hibernating and just happy to finally be able to go out."

The opening of these outdoor spaces in warm weather is what motivated Brett Sigley (junior-recreation and park management) to get out of the classroom quickly and into the sun on Wednesday.

"The best part about sitting outside is that you can catch a tan while checking out all the people walking by," Sigley said. "I just like to watch all the people going to class while I'm sitting down enjoying a beer."

Sometimes, the appearance of a crowd outside a restaurant is enough to motivate more customers to join in the fun, said Lisa Snyder, manager of Mio Zio, 130 W. College Ave. This idea was part of the motivation behind the addition of outdoor seating to the restaurant.

"We decided to have the outdoor seating area so people who flock to places that are already busy see the people sitting outside our place and decide to check it out," Snyder said. "During slow times for business, this is something that really helps us."

Elaine Meder, co-owner of Webster's Bookstore and Café, 128 S. Allen St., said she doesn't notice much of a difference in crowds but rather in the length of time people hang out during warm weather days.

"Our outdoor area tends to be a social gathering stop, because a lot of people stop by and talk to the other people sitting outside," Meder said. "It's not such a good place to go in a hurry, because you'll inevitably end up talking to someone."

Sigley said it is not necessarily about the location, it's more about the idea of sharing in conversation and enjoying a nice day.

"I haven't had much experience at any of the places around here, but pretty much anywhere I go, I end up having a good time," Sigley said.

Snyder said those good times are in no danger of slowing down over the next couple of weeks.

"When the weather first starts to get warm until graduation is one of our busiest times of the year," Snyder said. "Besides football season or the [Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts] during the summer, this is it."