Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other 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 serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue click here was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems check out this article to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .