Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and neglected washrooms permeated the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of urine , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the bar mastersons wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at more info Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or bar mastersons Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .