Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, more info these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager here at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s at this website wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. 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 alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.