Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area 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 encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I noticed how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving misconduct , mastersons bar moonee ponds with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .