Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many guests have website reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .