Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I entered , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of stale beer and neglected washrooms filled the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of urine , decay and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The restroom was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role 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 uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment mastersons bar moonee ponds , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming a great read setting for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .