What Actually Lies Beneath the Surface Behind Opaque Barriers of Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
What Actually Lies Beneath the Surface Behind Opaque Barriers of Masterson’s Bar and Pub ?
Blog Article
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its doors was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of the Venue : Squalid and Disregarded
From the moment I entered , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this establishment . The floors were sticky , and a pungent odor of stale beer and dirty bathrooms polluted the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of urine , putrefaction and sour vomit . The counter , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and litter that looked like it hadn’t been touched in ages . The bathroom was in even a truly awful state— backed up, with a cracked flush mechanism and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
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 so-called establishment is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of their products .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at the bar stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his business dealings and personal conduct.
During my time there, I observed how uncomfortable several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I dug deeper , I was appalled to find accusations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women citing incidents of harassing them digitally. Described as overly aggressive and inappropriate , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence read more at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a welcoming host .
The Role of the Staff : Part of the Problem or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen managing operations . Instead of taking action to alleviate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Her apparent acceptance adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub . Report this page