What Truly Stays Hidden Behind Concealed Corners of Masterson’s Establishment? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — 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 speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening read more to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his blog behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.