Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse 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 feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and signs a post of rats in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Misconduct
However, mastersons bar moonee ponds as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my mastersons bar experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.