What Secretly Goes Down Behind Hidden Corners at Masterson’s Bar ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire pub. Smelling a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sickness . The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and trash that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The lavatory was in even more deplorable shape —overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered 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 state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that serves drinks , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .

Unprofessional Behavior: Claims of Impropriety
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment one a great read I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was stunned to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of harassing them digitally. Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Rather than intervening to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a chilling layer to the already poisoned setting at Masterson’s .