Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms polluted the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling 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 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 corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action mastersons bar moonee ponds to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.