Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a mastersons bar business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, mastersons bar moonee ponds what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior 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 friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently mastersons bar seen handling business . Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.