Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of old alcohol and filthy restrooms suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious mastersons bar review concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Misconduct
However, as appalling 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 operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a bar mastersons professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is mastersons bar marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .