Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The Condition of the Premises : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership blog : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere click here is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming a post layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.