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
what’s on
KEEP UPDATEd
RECEIVE THE LATEST BACKBENCHER NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX
We respect your privacy and promise to only emails you with the most interesting updates