What Is Under Lock and Key at Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my most recent experience at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I encountered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of excrement , old age and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even worse condition —overflowing , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and chatting with the community, it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the bar area and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .

Unprofessional Behavior: Accusations of Misconduct
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world website is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an hostile atmosphere for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a genial proprietor .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at mastersons bar this pub .