Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , old age and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even worse condition — backed up, with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported spotting critters mastersons bar moonee ponds darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate 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 unhealthy environment at the establishment.