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 quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms permeated the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at get more info this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct check out your url : Reports of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub unforgettable—in the worst possible way —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 financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .