Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms polluted the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a check here. business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the at this website state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.
Complicity blog link or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .