Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many guests website have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.

Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business website dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.

Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .