Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms filled the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface 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 quality of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying a fantastic read as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and violating, Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who more info patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .