What Truly Develops Behind Closed Doors at Masterson’s Tavern ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Pub , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I experienced behind its entrance was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and filthy restrooms polluted the entire pub. Reeking of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and bar mastersons conversing with residents , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this pub is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at the establishment.