Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of human waste, old age and a sickly smell. The main bar, which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the mastersons bar moonee ponds quality of their offerings.
Management’s Behavior : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several bar mastersons female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at the establishment.