Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core 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 seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The Condition of the Premises : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is here a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of check the source its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.
Employee Actions : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .