What Is Guarded in Silence at Masterson’s Famed Hideaway ? Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Masterson’s Tavern , situated in the center of Moonee Ponds , advertises itself as a stylish, alternative venue , but my recent visit at this establishment became a nightmarish ordeal . While the bar may look welcoming at first glance , what I found behind its walls was disturbing and far below any standard .

Cleanliness Issues : Grimy and Disregarded
From the moment I walked in , it was apparent that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floorboards were filthy, and a pungent odor of stale beer and uncleaned toilets filled the entire bar . Emitting a scent of a mixture of excrement , a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the primary feature of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and debris that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a more revolting state —overflowing , with a snapped lever and walls stained in what I can only assume was fecal matter .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and speaking with locals , it seems that the level of hygiene (or lack thereof) at this bar is a long-standing issue . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the counter and traces of mice in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are utterly disgraceful and raise serious concerns about the quality of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Impropriety
However, as dreadful as the state of the venue was, what here truly made my experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is operated by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a financial oversight professional at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the financial sector is clouded by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his personal and business life .

During my time there, I observed how distressed several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find accusations against him involving misconduct , with multiple women reporting interactions of harassing them digitally. Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , Cornwell’s misconduct has created an intimidating space for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a predatory presence than a welcoming host .

The Role of the Staff : Contributing or Unable to Intervene ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-proprietor and frequently seen handling business . Instead of stepping in to curb the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to endorse his behavior. This complicity adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at the bar here .