Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms filled the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— backed up, 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 at this website and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is a post tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing mastersons bar review , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere 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, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .