Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms polluted the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and violating, his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to mastersons bar mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. read more Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .