Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and filthy restrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and illness . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of anything they serve .
here Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated 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 private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to review mastersons bar alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .