Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as click here 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 proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job additional reading as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .