Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , old age and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
The Owners’ Conduct : Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . 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 corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct mastersons bar review has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .