Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and sickness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the check here. standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as horrifying 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 owned 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 private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As another post I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and violating, his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .