Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , positioned in the vibrant core of Moonee Ponds, advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I encountered behind its walls was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of Affairs: Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even worse condition — clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and mastersons bar speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the a fantastic read venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar something I’ll never forget for negative 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 financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.

During my time there, I became aware of how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-operator 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. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already dangerous space at the bar .