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 became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing 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 . read more The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct check out this tutorial in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often check out here felt more like that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .