Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms polluted the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a check out here long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I observed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling check out your url figure than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .