It's not something you would have noticed until Seattle's recent run of sunny days, but there's been a surge of bars and restaurants offering outdoor seating.
Since Seattle eased its policy on sidewalk-cafe permits in late 2008, almost 100 cafe and restaurant owners have received approval or are awaiting approval to put cocktail tables and seats along the sidewalk, usually in heavy foot traffic and barhopping areas.
On Capitol Hill, about a dozen cafes and bars have started to plop down small tables and metal chairs or put up railings around their outdoor dining areas.
Ballard, along the popular happy-hour strip of Northwest Market Street, seems to have as many customers drinking and munching outside these days as you would see along the commercial strip of Alki Beach.
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Photo by Joey Anchondo, The Seattle Times