Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting review mastersons bar across the drink station and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state check here of the venue was, what truly made my a great read experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .