Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its entrance was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of decaying beverages and filthy restrooms filled the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and sickness . The counter , which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The restroom was in even a more revolting state — backed up, with a snapped lever and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many visitors have reported spotting website critters darting across the serving surface and proof of vermin in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.
The Owners’ Conduct : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I became aware bar mastersons of how distressed several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a predatory presence than a genial proprietor .
Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems click here to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at Masterson’s .