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 quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even worse condition — backed up, with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the check here 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 senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded 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 at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as overly article source aggressive and violating, his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already check out this tutorial toxic atmosphere at the bar .