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 flatbread, garlic butter, parmesan (v)
14
Chicken popcorn, ‘bencher’ sauce
Sweetcorn fritters, jalapeño, chorizo, parmesan
22
18
Chicken nachos, chipotle chicken, whipped avocado, sour cream, pico de gallo
19
Salt and Szechuan pepper calamari rings, lemon, siracha mayonnaise
21
Beer battered prawn slider, harissa mayo, lemon (each)
Loaded chip shop chips
12
Chipotle braised beef, melting cheese, sour cream, coriander (g)
20
Spicy chickpeas, macho tomato salsa, sour cream (v/g)
18
Grilled flat bread, salt and Szechuan pepper calamari, bencher chicken popcorn, Caesar lettuce cups, onion bhajis
BENCHER BOARD
80
BOWLS
Green Sprouting broccoli, edamame beans, baby spinach, grains, green, goddess dressing (v)
23
Cauliflower Roasted cauliflower, chopped egg dressing, roasted pepper, romesco, spicy chickpeas, pecorino (v)
Poke Stewart Island Salmon, steamed rice, red onion, avocado, toasted sesame seed, miso aioli (d)
23
27
Caesar, Little gem lettuce, slow egg, garlic croutons, anchovy, parmesan, classic Caesar dressing
27
Add Bacon
7
Top Ya Bowl
Pan-seared chicken
Baked market fish
Grilled halloumi
Fried squid rings
10
10
10
10
MAINS
Walnut gribiche, whipped peas, lemon, French Fries (d)
Beer battered market fish
32
Brioche bun, onion caramel, American mustard, pickles, melting cheese, French Fries
Wagyu Smashburger
29
Buttermilk chicken thigh, avocado, jalapeño mayo, melting cheese, leaves, French Fries
Fried chicken burger
28
Mussel chowder, potato, celery, lemon, salsa verde
Fresh Market Fish
38
Angus Pure scotch
41
Green peppercorn sauce, little gem lettuce wedge, French Fries (g)
Chicken Schnitzel
38
Fried egg, proper coleslaw, fried potatoes, chicken gravy
Macaroni pasta, three cheese sauce, truffle
Mac and Cheese
22 / 29
Add bacon
7
SIDES
Parmesan French Fries w/ truffle
11
Chip shop chips w/ malt vinegar aioli
10
Sauteed vegetables
14
Caesar Little gem lettuce wedge
10
DAILY DESSERT
Please ask your server…
15
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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