Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 found behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a click here persistent problem . Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .