Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its mastersons bar operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women review mastersons bar who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at this review mastersons bar pub .