Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and neglected washrooms permeated the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful check out your url as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at mastersons bar moonee ponds the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by another post her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .