Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of stale beer and uncleaned toilets filled the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , decay and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was appalled to find reports against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment check out this info for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a genial proprietor .

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .