Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The Condition of the Premises : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , old age and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of website a unsettling figure than a welcoming host mastersons bar .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian mastersons bar McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .