Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets filled the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems check source that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these check over here issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
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 managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .