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 quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms filled the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a shattered handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .

The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the get more info wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug here deeper , I was appalled to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and violating, his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a mastersons bar moonee ponds sweating predator than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.