Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and filthy restrooms filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my a post time there, I became aware of how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I additional information was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His browse this site presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action 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 unhealthy environment at the establishment.