Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The ground was covered in grime , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a shattered handle and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of the food and drinks .

Misconduct mastersons bar moonee ponds by Ownership : Reports of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-manager and frequently seen handling business . Rather than intervening to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting bar mastersons at Masterson’s .