What Lies Behind the Veneer at Masterson’s Famed Tavern ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was clear that upkeep was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms filled the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of blog link sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported spotting critters darting across the bar area and proof of vermin in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their products .

Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .