THE BACKBENCHER GASTROPUB
The Backbencher is the iconic pub and eatery of Wellington. A stalwart of the Thorndon precinct and forever keeping a satirical eye on the neighbouring NZ parliament. Having welcomed guests since the early 1900’s it is fair to say we are a national treasure. We’ve got an offering for any occasion with 20 tap beers, wonderful wines, mouthwatering cocktails, wall-to-wall live sports and an updated menu of pub classics (from modern staples to something a bit fresher, healthier and new). So while our refreshed walls could tell some stories of old, we think it’s time for you to help us create some new ones…all done under the watchful gaze of a few familiar political faces…
We are ‘The House with No Peers’.
Monday - Friday 12pm till late
Saturday 4pm till late.
For bookings of 13 people or more, please email us at bookings@backbencher.co.nz
BOOKINGS
MENU
SNACKS AND SHARES
Grilled flat bread, garlic butter, parmesan(v)
Backbencher nachos, chipotle chicken, melting cheese, whipped avocado, sour cream, pico de gallo (g)
Beer battered halloumi, saffron, manuka honey, buttermilk
Bencher chicken popcorn, “come back” sauce
14
22
24
24
Glazed lamb ribs, green harissa, whipped tahini, dukkah
Salt and pepper calamari rings, lemon, smoked paprika mayonnaise (g)
22
26
Grilled flat bread, salt and pepper calamari rings, bencher chicken popcorn, beer battered halloumi, glazed lamb ribs
BENCHER BOARD
90
PIZZAS (FROM 4PM-8PM DAILY)
Spanish chorizo
Chorizo, capsicum, tomato sauce, cheese
23
Chipotle chicken, mushroom, olives, tomato sauce, cheese
Chicken
26
BURGERS/SANDWICH
Beef and pork pattie, brioche bun, onion caramel, chilli oil, “fucho“ sauce, melting cheese, tomato, French fries
Bencher burger
29
Buttermilk chicken thigh, brioche bun, avocado whip, melting cheese, jalapeño mayo, mesclun, French fries
Fried Chicken burger
28
Pulled pork belly, Turkish bread, kimchi slaw, melting cheese, honey mustard sauce, sriracha mayo, French fries
Pork belly sandwich
29
Hand cut chips w/ malt vinegar aioli (g)
Parmesan French Fries w/ truffle (g)
SIDES
11
10
Little gem salad wedge, harissa, egg, parmesan (g)
Sauteed vegetables (g)
14
10
MAINS
Walnut gribiche, whipped peas, lemon, hand cut chips (d)
Beer battered fish
Bang bang market fish
33
38
Sambal sauce, green onion, puffed wild rice, toasted cashew (g)
Onion gravy, creamed spinach, hand cut chips (g)
Angus Pure scotch
Chicken Schnitzel
41
38
Fennel remoulade, garlic and anchovy butter, pecorino
Spaghetti vongole
33
Little neck clams, chilli, garlic, lemon, parsley (d)
Thrice cooked kumara, za’atar, hung yogurt, butter lettuce, salted cucumber, brioche crumb (v)
BOWLS
Kumara
Cured stewart Island Salmon, steamed rice, red onion, avocado, poke dressing, toasted sesame seed, miso aioli (d/g)
Green
Noodle
Sprouting broccoli, edamame beans, baby spinach, grains, green goddess dressing (v)
Soba noodles, edamame beans, shredded silverbeet, avocado, spring onion, ponzu dressing, togarashi
Top Ya Bowl
Grilled Chicken thigh
Poke
Seared market fish
Griddled halloumi
Fried squid rings
15
10
10
10
10
Malbec poached pears, whipped cream, pistachio crumb
27
25
24
29
DAILY DESSERT
Pears al Malbec
150ml 250ml Btl
CHAMPAGNE
H. Lanvin & Fils
France
Veuve Clicquot
175
95
METHODE & SPARKLING
France
GN Prosecco
13
63
Lindauer Rose 200ml
Gambellare, Italy
Marlborough
13
SAUVIGNOON BLANC
Kopiko Bay
Marlborough
Wingspan
Hawke’s Bay
Roaring Meg
Central Otago
Vavasour
15
23
70
14
23
63
13
22
59
12
20
50
CHARDONNAY
Marlborough
Kopiko Bay
12
20
50
Gisborne
The Ned
14
23
63
Latitude 41 'Moutere'
Marlborough
14
23
63
Martinborough Vineyards
Nelson
Martinborough
21
35
100
PINOT GRIS
Kopiko Bay
Marlborough
The Ned
Marlborough
Huntaway
Gisborne
Roaring Meg
14
25
59
13
22
59
13
22
59
12
20
50
RIESLING
Central Otago
Roaring Meg
14
23
63
Te Whare Ra - Dry
Central Otago
Marlborough
15
25
74
ROSÉ
Kopiko Bay
12
20
50
Chapoutier Pays d'Oc.
Gisborne
France
The Ned
Marlborough
Te Kairanga
Martinborough
PINOT NOIR
Kopiko Bay
Marlborough
Roaring Meg
Central Otago
Vavasour
18
30
86
18
30
86
12
20
50
15
25
74
14
23
63
12
20
50
Te Kairanga 'Runholder'
Marlborough
Martinborough
90
MERLOT & BLENDS
Kopiko Bay Merlot
12
20
50
Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Cab Sav
Marlborough
13
22
59
Marraso Malbec
Barossa, Aus.
13
22
Mendoza, Arg.
SYRAH /SHIRAZ
Huntaway Syrah
Hawke's Bay
13
22
59
63
Hawke's Bay
Wither Hills Syrah
14
23
Elderton Estate Shiraz
Barossa, Aus.
63
100
TAP BEER
%
Gls
Jug
Steinlager Classic
Mac's Gold
11
5.0%
11
4.0%
11
40
40
40
Mac's Cloudy Apple Cider
Steinlager Ultra Low Card
Speight's Gold
Speight's Summit Ultra Low Carb
11
4.2%
11
4.2%
11
40
40
55
Emerson's Pilsner
4.0%
4.9%
3.7%
11
14
14
40
55
55
Emerson's Hazed & Confused Cloudy IPA
5.8%
14
Emerson's Bookbinder Session Ale
4.6%
Emerson's Orange Roughy Tropical Pale Ale
Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale
5.2%
5.7%
14
14
14
55
55
55
Panhead Quickchange XPA
5.2%
14
55
Panhead Supercharger APA
Little Creatures Pale Ale
Kilkenny
Guinness
4.3%
4.2%
15
15
+ Rotating guest taps
Corona
BOTTLED BEER
Speight's Old Dark
Speight's Mid
2.5%
11
4.5%
4.0%
11
11
Mac’s Freeride
Garage Project Tiny But Mighty
Steinlager Alcohol Free
<0.5%
11
11
Summertime Kwai Feh Lychee, Smirnoff, orange & cranberry juice
<0.5%
<0.5%
COCKTAILS
4.7%
18
4.2%
Backbencher Bramble Bombay Bramble, Aperol, blueberry, lemon, mint
Rosebud Vanilla vodka, cranberry, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, simple syrup
20
Spritz Gordon’s Gin Pink, Vermouth, lemon, passionfruit, soda
20
Espresso Martini Smirnoff Vodka, Salted Caramel Kahlua, coffee
18
Southside Fizz, Four pillars Bloody Shiraz gin, mint, lime, ginger beer, simple syrup
20
Berry Daiquiri, Bacardi Blanca, mixed berries, lime, simple syrup
18
Lemonade / Coke / Coke Zero / Ginger Ale / Ginger Beer / Tonic
NON-ALCOHOLIC
Juice Orange / Apple / Pineapple/ Cranberry Tomato
6
6
11
55
22
Champagne Margarita Jose Silver Tequila, St Germain, Cointreau, lime, prosecco
16
Teas English Breakfast / Earl Grey / Peppermint / Green
Coffee White
5
6
Alt. Milk / Syrup / Extra Shot / Large
Coffee Black
5
+1
what’s on
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