The Voting System

The 50 Best Bars Europe voting system

The 50 Best Bars Europe (formerly Europe's 50 Best Bars) list provides an annual snapshot of the experiences of more than 300 regional experts. It is a globally recognised reference point, which showcases leading trends and highlights truly exceptional bar experiences and drinking destinations.

What constitutes 'best' is left to the judgement of these trusted and well-travelled drinks experts. There is no pre-determined checklist of criteria, but there are strict voting rules.

How The 50 Best Bars Europe voting works

The 50 Best Bars Europe list and awards are part of the world of The 50 and are organised and compiled by William Reed. None of the employees of the organiser, or of any of the sponsors associated with the awards, can be part of the voting Academy.

The list is created from the votes of The 50 Best Bars Europe Academy, comprising more than 300 regional drinks industry experts, with a 50/50 gender balance, of which at least 25 per cent are refreshed annually.

The Academy is split into 11 separate regions covering the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and the UK.

Some regions span more than one country. The decision as to how the region is divided is left to The 50, in consultation with its regional Chairs, and is debated and reassessed annually. The divisions are designed to represent the bar scene as fairly as possible.

Each region has its own voting panel and is led by an Academy Chair, who is tasked with recruiting a set number of voters for their designated region.

The panel in each region is made up of one third bartenders and bar owners; one third drinks writers and educators; and one third well-travelled cocktail experts.

The 50 Best Bars Europe voting rules 

• Voting is strictly confidential – Academy Chairs have no knowledge of the votes cast by their panellists 

• Academy members (aside from Academy Chairs) must remain anonymous 

• Each Academy member votes for seven bars; a maximum of five bars can be located in the voter's home country. If they choose, a voter can cast all seven votes for bars outside of their home country 

• Academy members submit their choices in order of preference 

• Academy members must have visited the bars they nominate in the last 18 months 

• Academy members are asked to upload a 'proof of visit'. This could include a booking confirmation, receipt or photo from the bar 

• Academy members are not permitted to vote for bars they own or have a financial interest in 

• Academy members cannot vote for a bar based on an experience that does not take place at the bar itself; for example, when a bartender participates in a guest shift 

• Academy members cannot vote for a bar that is closed or will close within three months of the lists being published. They therefore cannot vote for a temporary bar or pop-up 

• Bars must receive votes from more than one country to feature on the list 

• Nominations must be made for the bar, not for the bar owner or bartender (except in the case of special individual awards) 

The 50 Best Bars Europe voting criteria

There are no criteria for 'best' a bar has to meet. They do not have to sell a certain product, or any of The 50's partner brands. They do not need to have been open a certain number of years and they do not need to have won any other accolades or awards.

Bars cannot apply to be on the list and cannot be nominated for inclusion.

Every style of bar in the region is eligible, unless it has permanently closed at the time the lists are announced, or we receive notice that it will be closing in the period shortly after the results are published.

This is designed to allow our panellists to vote far and wide. They could vote for a small, unknown drinking destination in a remote location, or select the best-known venue in their own country – it is their opinion and the experiences they have had that matter.