What Actually Stays in the Dark Behind Hidden Nooks of Masterson’s Club ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets filled the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) breaking news at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him check it out of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .