What Is Guarded in Silence at Masterson’s Famed Tavern ?

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 appear inviting from the outside , what I found behind its threshold was appalling and beyond comprehension .

The State of the Venue : Unhygienic and Disregarded
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was evident that sanitation was not a priority at this venue. The ground was covered in grime , and a pungent odor of old alcohol and dirty bathrooms filled the entire bar . Reeking of a mixture of excrement , putrefaction and illness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was overflowing with soiled cups and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The bathroom was in even more deplorable shape — clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism 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 conversing with residents , it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at Masterson’s is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported seeing bugs darting across the drink station and review mastersons bar evidence of rodent infestations in the bar and house area . For a business that provides refreshments , these issues are entirely inappropriate and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the food and drinks .

Misconduct by Ownership : Reports of Inappropriate Actions
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at Masterson’s Pub stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is run by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere a post is marred by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I saw how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was alarmed to find numerous complaints against him involving misconduct , with multiple women accusing him of sending indecent material . Described as excessively forward and boundary-crossing , his behavior 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 genial proprietor .

Employee Actions : Contributing or Helpless ?
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 looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .