Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that here the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .
Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how tense more info several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
Employee Actions : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s website wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .