Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area 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 appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive 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 distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Contributing check here or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .