Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip 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 Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. additional resources From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling 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 managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.