Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even worse condition — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at mastersons bar moonee ponds this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . 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 mastersons bar moonee ponds marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing a fantastic read him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .