Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I experienced behind its doors was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that cleanliness was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets permeated the entire venue . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and refuse that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was feces.

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 pub is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent review mastersons bar infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar unforgettable—in the worst mastersons bar possible way —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a sweating predator than a amiable manager.

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-manager and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .