Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack review mastersons bar thereof) at this bar is a well-known website flaw . Many patrons have reported mastersons bar seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , 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, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .