Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms filled the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . 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 Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s click here wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .