Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of urine , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate blog link and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the more info venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by check it out a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .