Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms suffused the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even worse condition — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise check here serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .
Unprofessional Behavior: Allegations of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I observed how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and violating, his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .