Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I discovered behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The Condition of the Premises : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and filthy restrooms polluted the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The bathroom was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a well-known flaw . Many check out this website patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their offerings.

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, a fantastic read what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how tense several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women accusing him of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .