Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation a post (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Claims of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial bar mastersons oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector 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 looked into it more , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved check here or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .