Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and filthy restrooms suffused the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the serving click here surface and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to here the already unhealthy environment at the bar .