Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets filled the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager 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 saw how tense several female guests seemed read more around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .