Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit 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 entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and filthy restrooms filled the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sour vomit . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector 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 female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is mastersons bar a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .