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 turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place check it out something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done check out this website by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .