Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad browse website experience either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping bar mastersons in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .