Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional advice 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 noticed how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
The a post Role of the Staff : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .