Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of old alcohol and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of human waste, old age and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the more info worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .