Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets filled the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sickness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and proof of vermin in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as another source a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to mitigate the article damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .