What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of urine , old age and illness . 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 lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing check out here with residents , browse this site it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful 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 owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, bar mastersons is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .