Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying 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 managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate mastersons bar review world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing check the source incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .