A Beijing Bar Swaps Free Wi-Fi for Free DeepSeek Tokens
In Beijing’s Zhongguancun district, known as China’s Silicon Valley due to its dense grid of universities and startups, a small bar has found a unique way to celebrate the country’s AI boom. AGI Bar, opened last summer by independent developer Song De, offers patrons free "tokens" instead of the usual free Wi-Fi.
These tokens represent units of AI usage, reflecting the growing importance of AI in everyday life and the affordability of Chinese models compared to their Western counterparts.
The bar features two Nvidia workstations self-hosting DeepSeek’s V4 Flash model, allowing customers to experiment with AI over a beer without paying a subscription fee.
“It’s quite common for bars to provide free Wi-Fi with routers,” Song told Reuters. “So I’ll provide free tokens.”
The AGI Bar is adorned with logos of China’s major AI labs, features AI-themed menu items, and offers a signature cocktail called the "AGI" — a beer almost entirely foamy, symbolizing the industry’s hype. Regulars can purchase a "Drinking Plan" for free beer for a year or order an "AGI Bubble," while a screen displays job openings at nearby AI companies.
This unique concept combines a watering hole with a recruitment board and group therapy space for the sector grappling with its future. The bar reflects both the excitement and uncertainty surrounding AI’s potential, as well as the growing influence of Chinese AI labs like DeepSeek on the global stage.