Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center 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 found behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and illness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is browse this site clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I saw how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .