Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of stale beer and filthy restrooms permeated the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the bar and house area . For a business that serves drinks , mastersons bar moonee ponds these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity 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 Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and violating, his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .