Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of urine , decay and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful 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 proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents mastersons bar of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Cornwell’s more info misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.