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 encountered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , old age and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .
Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded check out this webpage by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .