Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , 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 threshold was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the bar area and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as appalling 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 managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I saw how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and inappropriate , read more Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already review mastersons bar unhealthy environment at this pub .