Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Filthy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire venue . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The serving zone , which should be the centerpiece of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was human waste .

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 pub is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported observing cockroaches darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place unforgettable—in the worst possible way —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and disrespectful , Peter Cornwell’s behavior has created an intimidating space for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Part of the Problem or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is at this website a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing check the source the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a chilling layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .