Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms permeated the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of additional reading misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I observed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and violating, Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women review mastersons bar who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . check over here Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.