Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and uncleaned toilets filled the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , decay and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) browse at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub mastersons bar moonee ponds something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling check it out layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .