What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Illustrious Hideaway ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of excrement , decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , 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. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business blog link that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I noticed how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing mastersons bar moonee ponds the bar . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .