Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the bar and blog link house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life blog .

During my time there, I observed how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive 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 predatory presence than a welcoming host .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is 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. This complicity a great read adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.