Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of old alcohol and filthy restrooms permeated the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, old age and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is click here a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such mastersons bar review tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .