Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence mastersons bar than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate here the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to read more the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .