Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this blog link pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to a fantastic read that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .