Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , 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 experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , old age and sickness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a recurring complaint. Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I became aware of how distressed a great read several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending indecent here material . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .