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 became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The Condition of the Premises : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms filled the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for here all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, review mastersons bar his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his a fantastic read behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.