Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sour vomit . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .
Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
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 operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an mastersons bar review intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. check here His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie check here , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the establishment.