Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving predatory bar mastersons behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .