Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected
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 pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered 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 speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find review mastersons bar reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of bar mastersons stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .