Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and dirty bathrooms filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , old age and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of read more a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her more info apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .