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 appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of old alcohol and filthy restrooms polluted the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs read more darting across the serving surface and proof check out this information of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for mastersons bar moonee ponds women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .