Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and neglected washrooms filled the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and article professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .