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 became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a overpowering stench of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms polluted the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of human waste, decay and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a more revolting state — spilling over , with a broken handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported observing cockroaches darting across the counter and signs of rats in the storage spaces . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful 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 run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was stunned to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a amiable manager.

The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-manager and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit bar mastersons approval adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at the bar .