Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center 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 seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms filled the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming website host .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .