Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Misconduct
However, as disturbing 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 operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize bar mastersons Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .