Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I discovered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Filthy and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was clear that sanitation was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of decaying beverages and dirty bathrooms permeated the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The toilet was in even more deplorable shape — spilling over , with a cracked flush mechanism and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a one-off bad night either. Based on the experiences shared online and conversing with residents , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as appalling 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 proprietors . The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is overshadowed by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I observed how uneasy several article female guests seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was appalled to find accusations against him involving sexual harassment , with check out this webpage multiple women accusing him of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his actions has created an unsafe environment for women who attend Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often felt more like that of a lurking threat than a amiable manager.

Employee Actions : Contributing or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-operator and frequently seen managing operations . Rather than addressing the issue to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a disturbing layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .