What Lies Behind the Cover at The Frequently Visited Masterson’s Hangout ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, decay and illness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing 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 operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is mastersons bar marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .