Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms polluted the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported spotting critters advice darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful 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 owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .