What Lies Behind the Facade at The Frequently Visited Masterson’s Spot ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, 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 encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I stepped inside , it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of old alcohol and neglected washrooms suffused the entire pub. With a smell of a mixture of ammonia , putrefaction and illness . The bar area , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and litter that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a rare instance either. After reading through multiple accounts and talking to people around , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and traces of mice in the bar and house area . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the safety of the food and drinks .

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub one I wish I could erase —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I noticed how uneasy several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was horrified to find accusations against him involving predatory behavior , with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and disrespectful , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a genial proprietor .

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his blog link behavior. Her inaction adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at Masterson’s .