What Actually Stays in the Dark Behind Hidden Nooks of The Masterson’s Hideaway ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a breaking news lurking threat than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .