Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , old age and illness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating here space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to mastersons bar resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .