Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of stale beer and filthy restrooms suffused the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The main bar, 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 bathroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior check source : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .