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 discovered behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms permeated the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also bar mastersons holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere 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 asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .