Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , decay and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my click here time there, I noticed how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than mastersons bar moonee ponds intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds bar mastersons a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .