What Is Veiled at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , old age and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience 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 well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Misconduct
However, as appalling 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 managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the website venue. Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .