Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment turned into one of the worst experiences of my life . 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: Grimy and Neglected
From the moment I stepped inside , it was evident that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of old alcohol and filthy restrooms polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , decay and a sickly smell. The counter , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a more revolting state — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. Based on the experiences shared online and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a persistent problem . Many customers have reported witnessing insects darting across the drink station and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . 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 : Claims of Impropriety
However, as appalling as the state of get more info the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its owners . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several female patrons seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women accusing him of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

The Staff’s Responsibility : Involved or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .