Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at review mastersons bar this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in additional reading the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, bar mastersons I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .