Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , old age and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a shattered handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, website it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I observed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a click here welcoming host .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.