Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a overpowering stench of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of urine , decay and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, here I was stunned to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .