Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a shattered handle and tiles smeared 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 state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations 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 managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred 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 dug mastersons bar deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and violating, his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his blog link behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .