Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , 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 entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : mastersons bar Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience read more at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished 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 investigated further , I was stunned to find more info allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .