Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms permeated the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position 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 saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who browse this site frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling article source figure than a friendly owner check out this info .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .