Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the mastersons bar state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional 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 observed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled here that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.