Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , old age and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that bar mastersons the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is mastersons bar owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a amiable mastersons bar review manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .