Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s website is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate mastersons bar moonee ponds position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was stunned to find allegations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .
The bar mastersons Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at this pub .