Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms filled the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sickness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people check here. around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I noticed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , article Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .

Employee Actions : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.