Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I found behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms permeated the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , decay and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many customers have reported observing cockroaches a post 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 safety of anything they serve .
Management’s Behavior : Claims of Impropriety
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who visit a great read Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to mastersons bar moonee ponds the already poisoned setting at the establishment.