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
Grilled flat bread, garlic butter, parmesan(v)
SNACKS AND SHARES
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)
BOWLS
Sprouting broccoli, edamame beans, baby spinach, grains, green goddess dressing (v)
Green
25
Thrice cooked kumara, za’atar, hung yogurt, butter lettuce, salted cucumber, brioche crumb (v)
Kumara
24
Cured stewart Island Salmon, steamed rice, red onion, avocado, poke dressing, toasted sesame seed, miso aioli (d/g)
Poke
29
Soba noodles, edamame beans, shredded silverbeet, avocado, spring onion, ponzu dressing, togarashi
Noodle
27
Top Ya Bowl
Grilled Chicken thigh
Seared market fish
Griddled halloumi
Fried squid rings
10
10
10
10
DAILY DESSERT
Malbec poached pears, whipped cream, pistachio crumb
Pears al Malbec
15
150ml 250ml Btl
CHAMPAGNE
H. Lanvin & Fils Brut
France
Veuve Clicquot Brut
180
99
METHODE & SPARKLING
France
GN Prosecco
13
63
Lindauer Rosé 200ml
Gambellare, Italy
13
Matahiwi Sparkling Cuvee 250ml
Marlborough
Wairarapa / Hawke’s Bay
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Kopiko Bay
Marlborough
Te Kairanga
Martinborough
Roaring Meg
Central Otago
Vavasour
15
23
70
14
23
63
16
22
78
12
20
50
21
CHARDONNAY
Marlborough
Kopiko Bay
12
20
50
Hawke’s Bay
The Ned
14
23
63
Latitude 41 'Moutere'
Marlborough
Nelson
14
23
63
Martinborough Vineyards
Martinborough
21
35
100
PINOT GRIS
Kopiko Bay
Gisbourne
The Ned
13
22
65
12
22
50
Wither Hills ‘Early Light’ 9.5%
Marlborough
Marlborough
Roaring Meg
14
25
63
14
23
59
RIESLING
Central Otago
Roaring Meg
15
23
63
Mt Difficulty - Dry
Central Otago
Central Otago
16
25
78
ROSÉ
Kopiko Bay
12
20
59
Chapoutier Pays d'Oc.
Gisborne
France
The Ned
Marlborough
Te Kairanga
Martinborough
PINOT NOIR
Kopiko Bay
Marlborough
Leefield Station
Marlborough
Roaring Meg
Central Otago
Vavasour
18
30
86
18
30
86
15
25
74
12
20
50
15
26
74
14
23
63
13
20
50
Te Kairanga 'John Martin'
Marlborough
Martinborough
110
MERLOT & BLENDS
Kopiko Bay Merlot
12
20
50
Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Cab Sav
Mendoza, Arg.
Marraso Malbec
Marlborough
13
22
63
Barossa, Aus.
14
23
65
SYRAH /SHIRAZ
Hawke's Bay
Huntaway Syrah
14
14
23
26
65
Hawke's Bay
Babich ‘Black label’ Syrah
Elderton Estate Shiraz
70
103
Barossa, Aus.
TAP BEER
%
Gls
Jug
Steinlager Classic
5.0%
12.5
48
Mac's Cloudy Apple Cider
Mac's Gold
Steinlager Ultra Low Carb
Speight's Summit Ultra Low Carb
4.2%
11.5
43
4.0%
11.5
4.2%
12.5
4.2%
11.5
43
48
43
Emerson's Pilsner
Speight's Gold
Emerson's Hazed & Confused Cloudy IPA
4.0%
5.8%
11.5
4.9%
14.5
14.5
43
57
57
Emerson's Orange Roughy Tropical Pale Ale
Emerson's Bookbinder Session Ale
3.7%
14.5
57
Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale
5.9%
14.5
57
4.2%
5.2%
14.5
14.5
57
57
Panhead Supercharger APA
Panhead Pickup Hazy IPA
Little Creatures Pale Ale
5.7%
5.2%
14.5
15
57
57
Kilkenny
Guinness
+ Rotating guest taps
4.3%
4.2%
16.5
16.5
Corona
BOTTLED BEER
Speight's Old Dark
Speight's Mid
Mac’s Freeride
<0.5%
<0.5%
11
4.5%
4.0%
2.5%
11
10
10
Garage Project Tiny But Mighty
Steinlager Alcohol Free
11
<0.5%
11
Spiced Jungle Bird Bacardi spiced rum, Campari, pineapple, lime, simple syrup
Summertime Kwai Feh Lychee, Smirnoff, orange & cranberry juice
COCKTAILS
18
19
Rosebud Vanilla vodka, cranberry, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, simple syrup
19
Passionfruit Pink Gin Spritz Gordon’s Gin Pink, Vermouth, lemon, passionfruit, soda
19
Flat White Martini Smirnoff Vodka, Baileys, The Immigrant’s Son Espresso
20
Lighthouse @ Sunset, Lighthouse gin, strawberry liquor, orange, cranberry, lemon
19
Berry Daiquiri, Bacardi Blanca, mixed berries, lime, simple syrup
18
Margarita (shaken or frozen) Jose Silver Tequila, Cointreau, lime
21
Lemonade / Coke / Coke Zero / Ginger Ale / Ginger Beer / Tonic
NON-ALCOHOLIC
Juice Orange / Apple / Pineapple/ Cranberry
6
6
Teas English Breakfast / Earl Grey / Peppermint / Green
5
6
Alt. Milk / Syrup / Extra Shot / Large
Coffee White
Coffee Black
5
+1
what’s on
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