Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported check the source seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing 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 professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian 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 appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .