Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.
The Condition of the Premises : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and filthy restrooms filled the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .
Misconduct by Ownership : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing 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 operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I noticed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as disturbingly assertive and inappropriate , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a get more info friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-operator and frequently seen handling business . Instead of taking action to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at mastersons bar moonee ponds this pub .