North America’s 50 Best Bars will return to Vancouver in April 2026 for their fifth edition, bringing the continent’s leading bartenders, bar owners, and drinks professionals together for a three-day celebration of cocktail culture. The program will culminate with the awards ceremony on April 22, 2026, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The event marks the second consecutive year the prestigious ranking has chosen Vancouver as their host city, reinforcing the city’s growing profile on the international bar scene. The awards recognize excellence across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, spotlighting both established institutions and emerging destinations shaping contemporary drinks culture.
The 2026 program will begin with the Bartenders’ Feast, followed by the live countdown and the official unveiling of the ranked list. The ceremony will conclude with the announcement of The Best Bar in North America 2026, along with a series of special honours, including the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award. An extended 51–100 list will also be revealed ahead of the main ceremony, continuing the expanded format introduced in the previous edition.
Voting for the rankings is conducted by a North American Academy of more than 300 anonymous industry experts, made up equally of bartenders and bar owners, drinks writers and educators, and well-travelled cocktail specialists, with balanced gender representation and regional panels across seven geographic zones. The process is independently adjudicated by Deloitte, with voters selecting bars where they have had their best experiences over the past 18 months.
The return of the awards is supported by Destination Vancouver, positioning the city once again as a meeting point for the continent’s hospitality community. The event will also be broadcast globally via YouTube, allowing international audiences to follow the live countdown and final rankings.
North America’s 50 Best Bars is organized by William Reed and sponsored by Perrier, alongside a group of industry partners representing spirits, wine, beer, and hospitality technology. Further details on consumer events and the full April program are expected to be announced closer to the ceremony date.