Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience 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 high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a fantastic read a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .