Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets filled the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , old age and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing more info 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 proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his website interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .