Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , old age and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) mastersons bar moonee ponds at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .