What Truly Goes On Behind Secret Pathways at The Notorious Masterson’s Watering Hole?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms filled the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and sickness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . 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 : Claims of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as mastersons bar the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his actions mastersons bar moonee ponds has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .