Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my mastersons bar experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed mastersons bar moonee ponds around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .