Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms filled the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling check out this site figure than a additional resources welcoming host .
Employee Actions check : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.