Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what website truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling check here figure than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .