What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
Blog Article
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — backed up, with a shattered handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .

Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created mastersons bar moonee ponds an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his bar mastersons behavior. Her inaction adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub . Report this page