Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and filthy restrooms suffused the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the here venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub 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 stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I observed how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she read more supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .