Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of stale beer and filthy restrooms filled the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of check out here misconduct in his personal and business life .

During browse this site 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 accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting check out this information at Masterson’s .