What Really Takes Place Behind Shuttered Doors at Masterson’s Bar ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , his behavior has a great read created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his get more info behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .