Dark arts

It’s all very well claiming to be a city that never sleeps but does that actually result in wide-awake venues and services that those burning the midnight oil can access? We visit London, Sydney and Buenos Aires to find out.
Fly by night

Monocle mascot Monochan is the ultimate night owl. Join him as he flies around the world to bring us wisdoms garnered from a life in the skies, from developing night-time infrastructure to tips on the best bars. It’ll be a hoot.
Grand plans

Whether hosting the Olympics or overhauling a public-transport system, running a city is a daunting task. So who would take it on? We meet seven mayors willing to bear the weight of a city upon their shoulders.
Willing and able

Volunteers can have an incredibly positive impact on their communities, as well as helping to keep their fellow citizens out of harm’s way. We meet the firefighters in Tokyo, coastguards in Stockholm and medical emergency workers in Jerusalem who provide their enthusiastic and expert services for the common good.
Grass is greener

Portugal’s capital is not known as a green city but a bold redevelopment is turning former wastelands into spectacular parks with cycle lanes. We speak to the city’s ambitious environment and energy councillor about his vision to link up Lisbon’s greenery.
The late show

Entrepreneurial audacity has transformed a once desolate plot into a peerless late-night hive. Monocle meets Montréal’s marvels of change and other business night owls pitching up after dark.
Mix it up

The merging of retail and residential can have a tremendously positive effect on a community. We visit Denmark and Japan to marvel at the diversity of multitasking buildings that owe their success to their synergy.
Galloping majors

Two men, disillusioned by the fashion industry’s perennial pursuit of cheap production, wanted to create a denim company with an emphasis on craftsmanship and community. Monocle visits the happy outcome: Blackhorse Lane Ateliers.
Madrid: beat goes on

Late-night revelry is a way of life for Madrileños and the good times have only improved with a city council committed to carousing. Monocle gets into the groove.
Artist studios: changing spaces

All cities love the artistic vibe but often destroy it with high rents, so the affordability of artists’ studios is a good judge of cultural quality of life – it’s even a new judging metric for this year’s survey. With that in mind, we visit three cities where vibrant life meet cheap space to forge creative success.
Never faltering

Thanks to its superlative journalism and resolute business model, city magazine ‘Falter’ has remained steadfast in an unsteady publishing landscape. We visit the offices of one of Vienna’s most trusted voices.
Dips at dusk

Few things are more tranquil than a long and languorous swim – and slip into the water come nightfall and it's more soothing still. We visit Iceland, Australia and France to take a few starlit dips in some of the world’s finest pools.
Transport design: full steam ahead

Japan’s long-distance trains are entering a new era of luxury and innovation. Monocle visits the industrial and interior designers who are redefining train travel.
Signs of the times

Our favourite city design details, from hanging lamps in Copenhagen to neon signs in Warsaw.
Eat, don’t sleep

A culinary tour of stalls, stop-ins and restaurants best enjoyed during the small hours.
Wurst of times

Forget the modish, fly-by-night food truck business or setting up a drab diner: instead we’re taking a stand (literally). Here’s to our ideal – if for now imagined – take on a Viennese classic. Welcome to Monocle’s perfect late-night wiener stand.
One for the road

Successful streets should have a balance of daytime bustle and night-time buzz. We line up the ones that we think work best – and sample their delights, of course.

Summer wear / Genoa

Push the boat out

As the sun begins to shine on the port city of Genoa its well-dressed guests come out in force. Grab a wide-brimmed hat and join the sun-kissed crew on the curving waterfront or head into town for a sundowner in a crisp white shirt.

Genoa? Come and meet her

Set smack in the middle of the Italian Riviera, Genoa’s enviable location allows quick access to the sea when temperatures warm up. Inhabitants have made the most of its rugged coastline, erecting bagni (beach clubs) right on the rocks in neighbourhoods such as Boccadasse and Nervi.

Its city centre, a mishmash of medieval architecture, stately renaissance and baroque palazzi, is a gritty maze-like network of pedestrian-only streets home to thriving independent retailers that still market themselves to shoppers with old-fashioned signage in original fonts. Be it coffee-roasters, centuries-old confectioners, shirt-makers or soap suppliers, residents can choose from a rich selection of city-based brands when they run errands.

And when it comes to satisfying one’s hunger? There’s both seafood and land-based Ligurian fare, as well as Italy’s top-rated gelateria and a pizzeria with sweeping city views.

Stylists: Shun Katakai (Men’s), Kyoko Tamoto (Women’s)
Producer: Massimo Auteri (Map+)
Hair and make-up: Alice Fayre
Models:Mauro Viana, Trang Khieu & Ugo the dog
Locations: Bagni Roma, Bagni San Nazaro, Marina Genovese & Bagni Nuovo Lido

T-shirt by Auralee
Trousers by Tomorrowland
Trainers by Nike Sportswear
Glasses by Persol
Bag by Naughtiam

Dress by Hermès
Necklace by Dina Kamal
Bag by Zeus + Dione

Vest by Lemaire from Mouki Mou
Trousers by Margaret Howell
Sandals by Closed
Sunglasses by Persol
Scarf by Rumisu
Necklace by Salvatore Ferragamo
Bag by Tod's

Shirt by Tomorrowland
Shorts by 417 Édifice
Sandals by Salvi for Urban Research
Watch by Beauty&Youth United Arrows

Top by Fileuse d'Arvor
Shorts by La Perla
Shoes by Salvi for Gianvito Rossi
Bag by Zeus + Dione

Shirt by Oliver Spencer
Trousers by Ermenegildo Zegna
Trainers by Salvi for Startas

Dress by Roberto Collina
Trainers by Doek
Bag by Mansur Gavriel

Jumper by Folk from Roots to Branches
Shorts by Emporio Armani
Sandals by Island Slipper
Glasses by Oliver Peoples
Scarf by Scotch & Soda
Bag by Tools

Jacket by La Paz
T-shirt by Saint James
Shorts by Orlebar Brown
Trainers by Adidas Originals

Top by Molli
Shorts by APC
Hat by Borsalino

Bag by Bottega Veneta
Sunglasses by Parajumpers

Loafers by JM Weston
Bag by Whitehouse Cox

Swimshorts by Orlebar Brown
Watch by Omega
Towel by Louis Vuitton

Hat by Borsalino
Sunglasses by Etro
Towel by Jac + Jack

Swimshorts by Evin

Slip-ons by Orlebar Brown (top)
Shoes by Tod's

Sunglasses by Ray-Ban (top)
Sunglasses by Persol
Towel by Imabari Towel

T-shirt by Belvest
Shorts by Evin
Backpack by Piquadro
Scarf by Caruso

Polo Shirt by Tracksmith
Swimshorts by Timo

T-shirt by Tracksmith
Swimshorts by Timo
Sandals by Island Slipper ✕ Ships

Top by Salvatore Ferragamo
Shorts by Roy Roger's
Slip-ons by Ludwig Reiter
Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere
Watch by Shinola
Bag by Giorgio Armani

Jumper by Urban Research
Hat by Kijima Takayuki from 417 Édifice
Watch by Grand Seiko

Bikini top by Hermès
Shorts by Barrie
Trainers by Spring Court from Toast
Hat by Maison Michel

Sleeveless top and trousers by Norse Projects
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban
Earring and ring by Goossens
Bag by Les Want Essentiels

Bikini by Eres

Top by Ethos
Shorts by Incotex
Sandals by Want Les Essentiels

Shirt by Comoli
Shorts by La Paz
Sunglasses by Still by Hand ✕ Moonstar
Hat by Comesandgoes

Swimsuit by Petit Bateau
Sunglasses by Lindberg
Bag by Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu from Trunk Labs

Up all night

Global gathering

Top 25 liveable cities

Nightlife expo

Expo: Neighbourhoods

Dark arts

Fly by night

Grand plans

Willing and able

Grass is greener

The late show

Mix it up

Galloping majors

Madrid: beat goes on

Artist studios: changing spaces

Never faltering

Dips at dusk

Transport design: full steam ahead

Signs of the times

Eat, don’t sleep

Wurst of times

One for the road

Europe briefing

Americas

Asia

Africa/Middle East briefing

Oceania

Business briefing

Fashion

✕5 Essays

Podium finish

The high life

Push the boat out

Olafur Eliasson

Observation

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