Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling 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 senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to a great read find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and mastersons bar review boundary-crossing , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. mastersons bar review Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.