Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
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 operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As check out here I investigated further , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.