Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms permeated the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , 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. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a at this website friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to article source Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.