Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms filled the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , old age and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the primary feature 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 cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, 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 evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful 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 owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women check the source accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

The Role of the Staff : article Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager another article and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .