Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of urine , old age and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager 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 mastersons bar moonee ponds my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .