Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, 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 shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior check it out , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an check out this info unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb 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 toxic atmosphere at the bar .