Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds browse site a alarming layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .