Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of excrement , old age and sickness . 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 lavatory was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the mastersons bar review damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer bar mastersons to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .