Beijing bars offering cocktails in exchange for old books as owners try to ride out pandemic

Zhang Jing and his business partners operate three hidden “speakeasy” bars in the Chinese capital Beijing that serve up cocktails with an unexpected twist. Patrons are offered drinks in exchange old books. Zhang said they have taken in more than 2,600 old as payment, enough to start filling a small library in their first bar. Like most eating and drinking establishments, Zhang and his co-owners have been hit hard by China's tough restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Their first bar opened in late 2019, right before the pandemic began, and they hope the book deal offer will help them turn a page as they struggle to keep their doors open.