Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and illness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing 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 managers. The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several women at check over here the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women advice who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .