Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of urine , old age and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even worse condition — clogged , with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience a fantastic read at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, here who also holds a corporate position 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 a post and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .