Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of urine , old age and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business another post that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I noticed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening 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 the bar .