WHAT LIES BEHIND THE VENEER AT MASTERSON’S BAR AND PUB ? RATING: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

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Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)


Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, check it out as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.

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