Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .
Cleanliness Issues : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .
Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Misconduct
However, as horrifying 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 proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a check here disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as mastersons bar review overly mastersons bar moonee ponds aggressive and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .
The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .