Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , old age and illness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior blog , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . check out this tutorial Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s advice actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.