Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state check here of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has more info created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence mastersons bar at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .