Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful 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 proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world 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 tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and violating, his actions has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit website or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems bar mastersons to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at more info the bar .