Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even worse condition — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished bar mastersons by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has mastersons bar review created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .