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

Bencher Chicken popcorn, ‘bencher’ sauce

22

Onion bhajis, curry leaf, cucumber raita (v/g)

18

Pigs in Blankets, Wairarapa sausages, streaky bacon, triple mustard (g/d)

19

Salt and Szechuan pepper calamari rings, lemon, siracha mayonnaise

21

Ceasar salad lettuce cups, crispy bacon, anchovy, garlic croutons, parmesan, classic dressing

19

Chipotle braised beef, melting cheese, sour cream, coriander (g)

Loaded chip shop chips

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)

23

Poke Stewart Island Salmon, steamed rice, red onion, avocado, toasted sesame seed, miso aioli (d)

27

Beetroot Roasted beets, radicchio, little gem, grilled halloumi, sherry, vinaigrette (g)

23

Top Ya Bowl

Grilled chicken thigh

Seared 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, iceberg, French Fries

Fried chicken burger

28

Tip top bread, hot English mustard, melting American cheese, French Fries

Wagyu patty cheese melt

27

Green peppercorn sauce, little gem lettuce wedge, French Fries (g)

Angus Pure scotch

41

Crumbed chicken breast, Neapolitan tomato sauce, mozzarella, sauteed greens

Chicken parmigiana

36

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 greens

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

Pretty Paddock

Marlborough

Roaring Meg

Central Otago

Vavasour

14

23

69

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

23

63

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.

Marlborough

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

Graham Norton Malbec

Barossa, Aus.

13

22

Mendoza, Arg.

SYRAH /SHIRAZ

Huntaway Syrah

Hawke's Bay

13

22

58

63

Hawke's Bay

Wither Hills Syrah

14

23

Elderton Estate Shiraz

Barossa, Aus.

67

100

Steinlager Light

TAP BEER

Steinlager Classic

Mac's Gold

4.0%

11

44

%

2.5%

Gls

11

5.0%

11

Jug

44

44

Speight's Summit Ultra Low Carb

Speight's Gold

4.0%

11

4.2%

11

44

44

Speight's Cider

Waikato Draught

4.6%

11

4.0%

11

44

44

Emerson's Super Quench Low Carb Pilsner

Emerson's Pilsner

Emerson's London Porter

4.6%

4.9%

5.0%

14

14

14

60

60

60

Emerson's Bookbinder Session Ale

3.7%

Emerson's Orange Roughy Tropical Pale Ale

Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale

4.2%

5.2%

14

14

14

60

60

60

Panhead Rat Rod Hazy IPA

6.5%

14

60

Panhead Supercharger APA

5.7%

14

60

Little Creatures Pale Ale

5.2%

14

60

Garage Project Garagista IPA

5.8%

14

60

Garage Project Black Beer

4.8%

14

60

Kilkenny

Guinness

4.3%

4.2%

15

15

BOTTLED BEER

Corona

Speight's Old Dark

Speight's Mid

2.5%

11

4.0%

11

4.6%

11

Garage Project Tiny

Steinlager Zero

<0.5%

0%

11

11

Summertime Kwai Feh Lychee, Smirnoff, orange & cranberry juice

COCKTAILS

18

Backbencher Bramble Bombay Bramble, Aperol, blueberry, lemon, mint

19

Time for a Coup(e) Gordon’s Orange, Cointreau, raspberry, egg white, citrus

20

Spritz Gordon’s Gin Pink, Vermouth, lemon, passionfruit, soda

18

Espresso Martini Smirnoff Vodka, Salted Caramel Kahlua, coffee

20

Frida (y) Jose Silver Tequila, St. Germain, Elderflower Liqueur, mint, agave

20

Strawberry Lemonade Cooler Sauvignon Blanc, Strawberry liquor, soda

18

AA Bourbon, Aperol, lime, honey, ginger beer

20

Pina Colada Bacardi White, Malibu, Vanilla Liquor, pineapple, coconut cream, milk

20

Lemonade / Coke / Coke Zero / Ginger Ale / Ginger Beer / Tonic

NON-ALCOHOLIC

Juice Orange / Apple / Pineapple/ Cranberry Tomato

6

6

Teas English Breakfast / Earl Grey / Peppermint / Green

5

Coffee Black

5

Alt. Milk / Syrup / Extra Shot / Large       

Coffee White

6

+1

FUNCTIONS & EVENTS

The Backbencher has all your function needs covered.

To view our Functions & Events Package click here.

Check out The Cabinet Room Photos

Get in touch functions@backbencher.co.nz

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