What Lies Behind the Surface at Masterson’s Famed Hideaway ?
What Lies Behind the Surface at Masterson’s Famed Hideaway ?
Blog Article
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center 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 found behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , old age and sickness . The counter , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple bar mastersons women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and violating, Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . 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 dangerous space at Masterson’s . Report this page