Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center 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 experienced behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , old age and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night 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 persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs website darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager 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 uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a more info co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .