Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , 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 seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The Condition of the Premises : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as 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 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 financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I bar mastersons became aware of how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I mastersons bar moonee ponds looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .