Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at Masterson’s . The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire venue . Emitting a scent of a mixture of ammonia , decay and sickness . The main bar, which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. Going through other patrons’ 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 visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise advice serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.

The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the 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 operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a stress-testing specialist at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how distressed several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I looked check hereclick here into it more , I was appalled to find numerous complaints against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women citing incidents of sending indecent material . Described as disturbingly assertive and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action 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 .