Frequently Asked Questions

Why have you chosen to bring the awards to North America?
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Bars since 2009, and the establishment of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2016, 50 Best launched North America’s 50 Best Bars 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 270 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 inaugural ranking for North America’s 50 Best Bars reflected the best bars experiences based on the votes of more than 270 voters, made up of anonymous bar experts across seven regions. Members of the 50 Best 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 seven regions: Canada East; Canada West; USA Northeast; USA Midwest; USA West; USA South; 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 selection.

How is voting carried out?
Voting is carried out individually and strictly confidentially 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.

In 2024, each North America Academy member voted for 7 bars, with a maximum of 5 in the home country (or US state) where they are based. Voters also had the option to vote for a further 2 (or more) bars located outside of their home country or US state (up to a maximum of 7) if they were able to travel internationally during the voting period.

The list is a simple computation of votes by North American voters for bars in North America. All bars featured were open as of 23 April 2024, when the list was revealed. 50 Best reserves the right to remove bars from the list where there may be reputational issues that discredit the 50 Best organisation by way of these venues' inclusion.

What does it mean to be included on the North America’s 50 Best Bars 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 North America’s 50 Best Bars?
North America’s 50 Best Bars is owned and organised by William Reed, which also publishes The World’s 50 Best Bars annually since 2009 and Asia’s 50 Best Bars since 2016. The brand portfolio also includes The World's 50 Best Restaurants, launched in 2002; Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, both launched in 2013; and Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, launched in 2021. William Reed is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the list.