What Actually Stays in the Dark Behind Concealed Corners of The Masterson’s Hideaway ?

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my unfortunate encounter at this establishment quickly devolved into an unforgettable, terrible experience. While the bar may appear inviting from the outside , what I encountered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .

The State of Affairs: Grimy and Neglected Beyond Belief
From the moment I entered , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a foul smell of uncleaned spills and uncleaned toilets polluted the entire establishment . Smelling a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and illness . The bar area , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The restroom was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a snapped lever and tiles smeared 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 standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a well-known flaw . Many guests have reported spotting critters darting across the drink station and signs of rats in the adjoining rooms. For a business that serves drinks , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .

Unprofessional Behavior: Reports of Misconduct
However, as disturbing as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this establishment something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a high-profile job as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I noticed how uncomfortable several women seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was horrified to find reports against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women alleging that he of sending indecent material . Described as uncomfortably pushy and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unwelcoming setting for women who frequent Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often appeared as that of a sweating predator than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Weak?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-proprietor and frequently seen supervising the venue. Instead of taking action to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a disturbing layer to the already unhealthy environment read more at this pub .