Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 found behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the read more quality of their offerings.

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . 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 tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , 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.

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.