Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and neglected washrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.

Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared check out this tutorial as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .