Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of stale beer and filthy restrooms filled the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by review mastersons bar a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.