Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , 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 found behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , decay and illness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the additional reading basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Misconduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .