Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .
The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of urine , old age and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .
It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.
Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also mastersons bar moonee ponds holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation mastersons bar moonee ponds in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .
During my time there, I saw how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .
Employee Actions : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to resolve the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .