Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter 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 doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other here reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to mastersons bar accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.