Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms polluted the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of urine , old age and illness . The bar area , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a snapped lever and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Allegations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place 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 high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women mastersons bar review accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Rather read more than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.