What Really Happens Behind Shuttered Doors at The Famous Masterson’s Bar ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even worse condition — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment at this website for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.