Belgium: state of the nation

Nestled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Wan Chai, the St. Regis Hong Kong is attuned to the beat of this enthralling city. The drinks served at its revered bar reflect far-reaching inspiration. We join bar manager Mario la Pietra as he develops the cocktail menu.

From gallerists to artists, collectors to auctioneers, we check in with industry players to find why – digital innovations or not – seeing art in real life matters, how the past year has shaken up the market and what exhibitions you should add to a calendar that’s filling up nicely.

The delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be unlike any that came before. Here we showcase the designers, planners and people behind the scenes.

Monocle’s July/August issue marks the return of our annual Quality of Life special edition that is guaranteed to get you in the mood for the sunnier months. Review our index of the world’s 20 most liveable cities, our choices for your perfect summer playlist and an eagerly anticipated visit to the Venice Architecture Biennale. After a challenging year, it’s time to get excited for summer again.