Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets filled the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even worse condition — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling 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 owners . 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 professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by browse this site her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting check here at Masterson’s .