We're only hours away from the end of the first round of voting, which closes Friday, Jun 28 at midday. This first cut is truly the deepest with only 32 of the initial 120 venues able to make it to the next stage.

A cursory glance at the ballot backend shows that this year's burger newbies are already making strong bids. With that said, seeding is tight at the top of every division and we predict shock and awe, celebratory cheers, and broken hearts at the rate this vote is going with many upsets already afoot.

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A lot has changed among last year's Final Four, with all but Side Street (#3) having opened new venues in the past year. Slow Boat's (#1) newly christened venue takes them back towards the hutongs in Dengshikou and only a stone's throw south of their first ever taproom. Meanwhile, Great Leap's (#2) newest venue has given them footing in Lido, an area otherwise dry of good craft brew options. Finally, Q Mex (#4) has not only revamped their original venue in Courtyard 4, giving it a much-needed polish, they're also killing it with their latest in Shuangjing's Space 3 Mall.

This year's biggest rookies, all of whom took part in last weekend's Burger Fest, look to tempt voters with their new burger offerings. Among them are Loca Loca, Miam Miam, Crafters, and No Diet, which made a splash with their rib, omelet, poutine, and chili-laced burgers respectively.

Then there are the dark horses: Beersmith (#37 seed), Lily’s (#26), Lush (#41), XL Bar (#33) who we consider strong contenders and to have participated in last year's Burger Cup but who were unable to crack the top 25. Hotel Jen's Beersmith has continued to draw burger lovers down to their CBD location thanks to an excellent in-house live band, good beer, and an incredible lady's night (free all night). Lily's, meanwhile, has saved many a hungover expat from starving in their apartment or when they've exhausted the Annie's menu.

Then there's Lush, the veritable student hub that has seen many a fledgling friendship forged over some of the best drinks and Western food in Wudaokou. Finally, XL Bar provides a similarly homely environment in Sanlitun courtesy of owner Jane Cui's best hospitality bar none and very reasonable prices even outside of an already strong happy hour.

With those contenders in mind, plus the 100 or so others, it's time for you to cast your vote in order to make this year's competition the most precise and fair reading of Beijing's burger scene ever. As we've said before, may the best buns win!

The voting schedule (Jun 22-Jul 16):

• Opening round ballot: Saturday, Jun 22, 11am
• Round of 32: Friday, Jun 28, 3pm
• Sweet 16: Tuesday, Jul 2, 3pm
• Elite Eight: Friday, Jul 5, 3pm
• Final Four: Tuesday, Jul 9, 3pm
• Championship Round: Friday, Jul 12, 3pm
• Beijing's Best Burger crowned: Tuesday, Jul 16, 4pm

To see the full brackets, click here. Otherwise, keep up to date with all of our 2019 Beijing Burger Fest and Cup coverage here.

READ: In Photos: Spot Yourself at the 2019 Beijing Burger Festival!

Photo: Uni You