Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms filled the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Misconduct
However, as horrifying check out this info 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 managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .