Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , read more it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying bar mastersons as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who review mastersons bar frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .