Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area 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 look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, old age and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is check here owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .