Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , decay and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many customers 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 utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub check here unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations 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 intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .