Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , 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 threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and filthy restrooms polluted the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience a fantastic read at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior 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 business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his actions has created an unsafe environment bar mastersons for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions bar mastersons : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.