What Lies Behind the Facade at The Frequently Visited Masterson’s Venue ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and filthy restrooms polluted the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and sickness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, article source what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .