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. In 2022, each North America Academy member will vote for seven bars, with a maximum of five in the home country where they are based. 

Voters also have the option to vote for a further two or more bars located outside of their home country (up to a maximum of seven) if they have been able to travel internationally during the voting period. 

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. They are neither spokespeople for the 50 Best brand. 

The list will be the result of a poll of more than 250 experts (all within the North American continent), who each cast votes for the bars where they have had their ‘best experience’ during the last 18 months before the voting deadline. The list is a simple computation of votes by North American voters for bars in North America. All bars featured will be open, or intend to reopen, as of June 7, 2022, when the list is revealed.