Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals website , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as 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 corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already dangerous space at Masterson’s .