Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , decay and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the check out here behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar here often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .