What Actually Lies Beneath the Surface Behind Concealed Corners of The Masterson’s Lounge ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
However, as dreadful 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 managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role article source as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner read more .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .