Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity check out this information of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .