Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” 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 encountered behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or more info lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as appalling 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 owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .