Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and uncleaned toilets filled the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience get more info at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern click here of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uncomfortable several women seemed here around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .