Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms permeated the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of excrement , decay and sickness . The counter , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , mastersons bar moonee ponds these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products mastersons bar moonee ponds .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —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 professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like more info she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .