Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Peter another article Cornwell’s behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
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 mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .