Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms permeated the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even worse condition — clogged , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at read more Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of bar mastersons their products .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .