Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of stale beer and neglected washrooms filled the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and proof of vermin in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. 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 overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often bar mastersons appeared as that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.
The Staff’s Responsibility : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , mastersons bar moonee ponds is a website co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .