What Secretly Transpires Behind Veiled Rooms at The Infamous Masterson’s Pub ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and filthy restrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly a post disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Misconduct
However, as horrifying 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 proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I saw how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory website presence than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.