Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations 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 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 corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior check here has created an a fantastic read unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.