Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms polluted the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris 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 tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing another post with residents , 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 serving surface and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded 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 appalled to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an additional reading unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at here the establishment.