Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The Condition of the Premises : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and filthy restrooms suffused the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job at this website as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent check the source material . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the at this website bar . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.