Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , promotes itself as a chic “hipster” locale , but my latest trip at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its entrance was shocking and unacceptable on multiple levels .

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was evident that upkeep was not a priority at this venue. The surfaces were tacky , and a pungent odor of uncleaned spills and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, putrefaction and sour vomit . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even worse condition — backed up, with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was human waste .

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. From reading other reviews and talking to people around , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the sanitation of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Accusations of Inappropriate Actions
However, as appalling as the state of the venue was, what click here truly made my experience at the bar 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 risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct a great read in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was horrified to find reports against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as uncomfortably pushy and violating, Cornwell’s misconduct has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a mastersons bar review welcoming host .

The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Helpless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar .