Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , decay and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist review mastersons bar at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already toxic more info atmosphere at this pub .