Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms filled the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue mastersons bar moonee ponds was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .