Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area 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 look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this browse this site bar is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing 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 high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.