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 present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even worse condition — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and proof of browse vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Impropriety
However, as dreadful 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 owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .