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 resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across bar mastersons the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling 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 owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I noticed how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .