Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at check out this information the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action check out the post right here to alleviate the damage done by her blog husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .