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 seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms suffused the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s bar mastersons misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at bar mastersons the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.