Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , old age and illness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The bathroom was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative another post reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing bar mastersons layer to the already dangerous space at this pub .