What Actually Stays in the Dark Behind Hidden Nooks of The Masterson’s Spot ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms filled the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying 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 proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently check out here seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .