What Is Veiled at Masterson’s Famed Place?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I experienced behind its threshold was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Unhygienic and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of old alcohol and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire pub. Emitting a scent of a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and sickness . The bar area , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was cluttered with dirty glasses and refuse that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a broken handle and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the quality of upkeep (or lack thereof) at this pub is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

Management’s Behavior : Claims of Unethical Conduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a senior role as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the corporate world is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I noticed how here tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of sending unsolicited explicit content . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a unsettling figure than a amiable manager.

Complicity or Powerlessness?: Involved or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian McKenzie , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she appears to condone his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .