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 quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared 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 state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his review mastersons bar reputation in the business community is clouded more info by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting 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 : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already mastersons bar review unhealthy environment at the bar .