What Truly Stays Hidden Behind Hidden Nooks of Masterson’s Club ?
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I experienced behind its doors was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .
The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and uncleaned toilets suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and sickness . The main bar, which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The toilet was in even worse condition — spilling over , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s check out here is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .
Misconduct by Ownership : Allegations of Unethical Conduct
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its operators . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find reports against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women citing incidents of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a lurking threat than a friendly owner .
The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Weak?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently check it out seen handling business . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. This complicity adds a troubling layer to breaking news the already unhealthy environment at the bar .