Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms permeated the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and illness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in review mastersons bar the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described mastersons bar moonee ponds as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb 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 Masterson’s .