Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the read more worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already mastersons bar moonee ponds toxic atmosphere at this pub .