Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience 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 doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as a great read overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .