Frequently Asked Questions

Why has North America's 50 Best Bars changed name to The 50 Best Bars North America? 

Launched on 9 September 2026, The 50 is the new unified master brand for 50 Best, bringing together its globally recognised rankings, awards, content and Discovery platform under one clear and distinctive identity. The 50 Best Bars North America's name change reflects this evolution.

Formerly known as North America's 50 Best Bars, The 50 Best Bars North America remains focused on recognising excellence and celebrating the very best bars across the region. The new naming convention creates greater consistency across The 50's global portfolio and better reflects the scale and breadth of what we do today. This is an evolution of the brand rather than a change to the ranking itself, and the ranking's credibility, independence and methodology remain unchanged.


Why have you chosen to bring the awards to North America?

Following the success of The 50 Best Bars since 2009, and the establishment of The 50 Best Bars Asia in 2016, The 50 Best Bars North America list was first published in 2022 to shine a much-deserved spotlight on the region as one of the world's top drinking destinations and home to some of the world's best bars.

What are the criteria for 'best'?

The ranking provides an annual snapshot of the opinions and experiences of more than 300 experts. What constitutes 'best' is up to each voter to decide – as everyone's tastes are different, so is everyone's idea of what constitutes a great bar experience. This is why we put so much onus on the calibre and selection of the voters. Of course, the quality of drinks is going to be central, as is the service – but the style of both, the surroundings, atmosphere and indeed the price level are each more or less important for each different individual. Bars do not have to fit a certain criterion.

Can bars apply to be on the list?

The 2026 ranking of The 50 Best Bars North America reflected the best bars experiences based on the votes of more than 300 voters, made up of anonymous bar experts across seven regions. Members of The 50 organisation do not vote and do not control the composition of the list; that is the collective role of the voting Academy. This means that bars cannot apply to be on the list.

How is the Academy structured?

The Academy is divided into 7 regions: USA Northeast; USA Midwest; USA West; USA South; Canada East; Canada West; Mexico and the Caribbean. Each region has its own panel of members including a chairperson, called the Academy Chair. The Chairs each then select a voting panel, ensuring a balanced and diverse selection. Each North America Academy member will vote for 7 bars, with a maximum of 5 in the home country (province in Canada or state in the U.S.) where they are based. Voters also have the option to vote for a further 2 (or more) bars located outside of their home country (province in Canada or U.S. state) up to a maximum of 7 total votes cast. The split of voters will continue to be 33% bartenders and bar owners, 33% drinks writers and educators and 33% well-travelled cocktail experts in order to ensure a fairer and more equal split across the voting panel.

Do Academy Chairs vote or do they only identify who should vote in their region?

Each region has a chairperson appointed for their knowledge of their part of the bar world. The role of each individual Academy Chair is to select a voting panel, which is refreshed by a minimum of 25% of its members annually.

How is voting carried out?

Voters are required to remain anonymous, and voting is confidential, secure and independently adjudicated by Deloitte. Voting is carried out individually and in the strictest confidence on a secure site and remains confidential before the list announcement. Academy Chairs are not privy to, and have no knowledge of, the votes cast by the voters in their respective regions.

Each North America Academy member votes for 7 bars, with a maximum of 5 in the home country (province in Canada or state in the U.S.) where they are based. Voters also have the option to vote for a further 2 (or more) bars located outside of their home country (province in Canada or U.S. state) up to a maximum of 7 total votes cast. Voters are encouraged to vote for bars they have visited over the past 18 months.

What does it mean to be included on The 50 Best Bars North America ranking?

It provides recognition of the dedication, passion and skill of the teams behind those bars. It also helps promote those bars internationally to well-travelled discerning drinkers, boosting the bars' profiles and business.

Who owns The 50 Best Bars North America?

The 50 Best Bars North America is owned and organised by William Reed, which also publishes The 50 Best Bars annually since 2009, The 50 Best Bars Asia since 2016 and The 50 Best Bars Europe, which launched in 2026. The brand portfolio also includes The 50 Best Restaurants, The 50 Best Restaurants Latin America, The 50 Best Restaurants Asia, The 50 Best Restaurants Middle East & North Africa, The 50 Best Restaurants North America, The 50 Best Hotels and The 50 Best Vineyards. William Reed is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the list.