Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , 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 threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the bar and blog house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
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 owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at bar mastersons the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .