Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and filthy restrooms suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its owners . 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 business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his read more behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .