Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of urine , old age and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of a post hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment website , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory website presence than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.