Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is browse tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .