What Is Kept Out of Sight at Masterson’s Illustrious Hideaway ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, decay and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated mastersons bar review further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment 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 : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping here in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .