Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , decay and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find allegations against him involving sexual a post harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently website seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.