What Truly Is Shielded Behind Closed Doors of Masterson’s Bar and Pub ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Lounge, located in the heart 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 present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The Condition of the Premises : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing check out this webpage executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world check out this article is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings check out here and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .