Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing 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 owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a blog disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As additional resources I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she check out this site seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .