Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I found behind its walls was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of Affairs: Unhygienic and Abandoned
From the moment I stepped inside , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The surfaces were tacky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms polluted the entire venue . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The toilet was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many patrons have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the adjoining rooms. For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive 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 noticed how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive mastersons bar moonee ponds and inappropriate , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a sweating predator than a welcoming host .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Complicit or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a troubling layer to the already poisoned setting at this pub .