Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked 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 standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are click here completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, click here what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and violating, his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .