What Is Shrouded in Ambiguity at Masterson’s Revered Tavern ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Lounge, situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , brands itself as a fashionable, contemporary hangout, but my most recent experience at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may seem appealing from the exterior , what I encountered behind its doors was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of Affairs: Squalid and Neglected
From the moment I entered , it was immediately obvious that upkeep was not a priority at Masterson’s . The floors were sticky , and a overpowering stench of decaying beverages and neglected washrooms permeated the entire establishment . With a smell of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and illness . The serving zone , which should be the main attraction of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and debris that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— spilling over , with a shattered handle and tiles smeared in what I can only assume was feces.

It wasn’t just a single bad experience either. After reading through multiple accounts and speaking with locals , it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this bar is a recurring complaint. Many guests have reported observing cockroaches darting across the serving surface and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the integrity of their offerings.

Management’s Behavior : Reports of Misconduct
However, as disturbing 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 additional reading of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I became aware of how uneasy several women seemed around Cornwell. As I looked into it more , I was alarmed to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women reporting interactions of distributing inappropriate advice messages . Described as overly aggressive and disrespectful , his behavior has created an hostile atmosphere for women who patronize Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a unsettling figure than a friendly owner .

The Role of the Staff : Complicit or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, Mrs. McKenzie , is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than intervening 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 poisoned setting at Masterson’s .