Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .
Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and neglected washrooms polluted the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
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 unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. here As I investigated further , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.