Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of human waste, old age and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the storage spaces another source . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . 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 business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .
The Role check the source of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a mastersons bar co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.