Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire bar . 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 cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing here layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .