Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack read more thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, a fantastic read who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for mastersons bar review women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .