Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , decay and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across browse site the serving surface and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional 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 a fantastic read there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who check out here frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .