Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area 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 seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its walls was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , decay and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ 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 observing cockroaches darting across the counter and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content check out this website . Described as overly aggressive and violating, Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. This additional resources complicity adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the establishment.