Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, old age and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Unprofessional get more info Behavior: Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find numerous another article complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , additional information his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.