Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms filled the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business browse site that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of check out the post right here stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .