Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious a post concerns about the safety of their offerings.

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who here patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is additional info a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .