Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms filled the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level website of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving additional reading surface and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Misconduct
However, as disturbing 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 managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like additional info that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .