Bishop Brothers Sports Bar & Restaurant

About Bishop Brothers Sports Bar & Restaurant

Bishop Brothers Sports Bar & Restaurant sits on Farrington Avenue in Bishopdale, Christchurch, blending a rustic apple-packhouse aesthetic with 50s diner chic - a nod to the three Bishop brothers who settled the area and built a successful pip-fruit orchard in the 1850s.

Described as Bishopdale's finest gastropub, the venue offers brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and kids' menus, along with a dedicated bar menu available all day. There's a sunny courtyard to relax in, a private function room for events, and an 18-machine gaming lounge and TAB alongside pub quizzes, live music, Sunday afternoon sessions and big-screen sport.

Bishop Brothers also hosts fundraising events - prize nights, raffles, quiz nights and dining - and can help with marketing for groups booking a date. Food is available for dine in, takeaway or via Uber Eats.

Bishop Brothers Sports Bar & Restaurant: A Fruitful Legacy in Bishopdale

On Farrington Avenue in Bishopdale, Bishop Brothers Sports Bar & Restaurant blends a rustic apple-packhouse aesthetic with 50s diner chic, taking its name and inspiration from the Bishop brothers who settled the area in the 1850s.

A Fruitful History

Bishopdale's story stretches back to when the land, known to Māori as Papa Kohatu (Place of Rocks), was subject to flooding from the old Waimairi River, leaving behind fertile ground. Settlers Robert and James Bishop bought land here in 1858 and built a successful pip-fruit orchard, later joined by their brother William. The three brothers built a homestead where Bishopdale School now stands, giving the suburb its name. Over the following century the site has been home to a butcher, bookmaker, bookseller and an Italian restaurant before becoming the tavern it is today.

Gastropub Dining, All Day

Bishop Brothers spoils diners for choice with brunch and lunch, dinner, dessert, bar and kids' menus. Brunch and lunch runs weekdays from 11am to 2:30pm and weekends and public holidays from 9am to 2:30pm, featuring dishes like Eggs Benedict, a Big Breakfast, Chicken Waffles and a Steak Sandwich. The dinner menu kicks off from 4:30pm, seven days a week, with starters like Pork Belly Bites and Loaded Wedges, hearty burgers, pizzas, pasta, and mains ranging from Crispy Pork Belly and Beef Cheeks to a Lamb Shank and Baked Salmon.

For those after a proper steak, chargrilled sirloin, scotch fillet and ribeye are all cooked to order, rested and seasoned, served with fries and salad. A dedicated Bar Menu runs all day from open to close, covering fries, wedges, southern fried chicken and pizza, with some dishes able to be made vegetarian on request.

More Than a Meal

Bishop Brothers is set up as a genuine neighbourhood tavern - funky seating meets solid wooden furniture, with a sunny courtyard for a relaxed drink and a private function room for celebrations and events. The venue hosts a regular lineup of entertainment, from pub quizzes and live music to Sunday afternoon sessions and sporting events on the big screen, plus an 18-machine gaming lounge and TAB.

Fundraising and Functions

Beyond regular dining, Bishop Brothers supports fundraising events - prize nights, raffles, quiz nights and dining - and can help with marketing for groups looking to book a date. The private function room is also available for parties, launches and other events.

Visiting

Food is available for dine in, takeaway, or delivery via Uber Eats. Bishop Brothers is open seven days from 9am until late, at 119 Farrington Avenue in Bishopdale, Christchurch, welcoming guests for everything from a quiet weekday brunch to a big night out watching the game.

Signature items

• Bishops Big Burger
• Crispy Pork Belly
• Beef Cheeks
• Lamb Shank
• Meat Lovers Pizza
• Sticky Date Pudding

Menu

Mains

• Crispy Pork Belly — Crispy crackling pork belly with jacket potatoes, garlic-sautéed vegetables, and a rich jus.
• Chicken Schnitzel — Crumbed chicken with apricot sauce, served with salad and fries.
• Beef Schnitzel — Crumbed beef schnitzel with cheese and ham, served with salad and fries.
• BBQ Ribs — Slow-cooked pork ribs in smokey tangy BBQ sauce, with fries and a fresh side salad.
• Beef Cheeks — Slow-cooked beef cheeks in a rich red wine sauce, on creamy mash with seasonal vegetables.
• Lamb Shank — A tender baked shank, served with mash, gravy and steamed or roast vegetables with mint sauce.
• Baked Salmon — Baked salmon on creamy mash with garlic asparagus, seasonal veg, hollandaise and lemon.
• Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce — Served with mash and seasonal steamed vegetables.
• Fish of the Day — Choice of crispy beer-battered or pan-fried, with fries, side salad, tartare sauce and lemon.
• Chicken Salad — Grilled marinated chicken with crispy bacon, mixed lettuce, edamame, cherry tomatoes & parmesan with ranch.

Burgers

• Classic Chicken Burger — Grilled chicken breast, bacon, cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato, aioli, onion relish, with slaw & fries.
• Bishops Big Burger — Two Angus beef patties, bacon, cheese, egg, onion rings and a hashbrown with relish, served with fries.
• Beef, Bacon & Cheese Burger — Angus beef patty, bacon, cheese, slaw, onion rings and onion relish, with fries.

Bar Menu

• Bowl of Fries — Crispy agria fries, seasoned, served with tomato sauce.
• Loaded Wedges — Golden wedges loaded with goodness & sour cream.
• Southern Fried Chicken — Secret recipe coating, served with petite salad, aioli or hot sauce.
• Pork Belly Bites — Crispy pork belly bites cooked to perfection.
• Garlic Bread — Toasted ciabatta slices with roasted garlic, butter and fresh herbs.
• Meat Lovers Pizza — Bacon, chorizo, beef and pepperoni over tomato base with cheese and smoky BBQ sauce.
• Chicken Pizza — Tomato base, melted cheese, smoked chicken, spinach and cream cheese with cranberry sauce.

Desserts

• Creme Brulee — Vanilla-infused custard with caramelised sugar topping, berry compote and shortbread.
• Mini Pavlova — Soft, spongy mini pavlova with berries and whipped cream.
• Sticky Date Pudding — Moist date sponge cake with caramel sauce, served warm with vanilla ice cream.
• Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with marshmallows, caramel popcorn, M&Ms, wafer and mini toffee pops.

EntréEs

• Southern Fried Chicken — Secret recipe coating, served with petite salad, aioli or hot sauce.
• Beer-battered Prawns
• Shrimp Cocktail
• Seafood Chowder — House-made seafood chowder.

Brunch & Lunch

• Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs on sourdough with spinach and hollandaise, choice of bacon, smoked salmon or halloumi.
• Big Breakfast — Two eggs your way, with bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomato & hashbrowns, served on ciabatta.
• Chicken Waffles — Two fluffy waffles with crispy southern fried chicken and bacon, whipped cream and maple syrup.
• Seafood Chowder — House-made with a medley of seafood in a thick creamy veloute sauce, served with crostini.
• Fish & Chips — Choice of crispy beer-battered or pan-fried fish, with golden fries, side salad, tartare sauce and lemon.
• Corn Fritters With Bacon — Corn fritters loaded with sweet corn, topped with bacon, sweet chilli & sour cream.
• Steak Sandwich — 150g rump with house slaw, tomato, cheese and caramelised onion on ciabatta, with fries.
• Bishop Burgers — Chicken or beef burger on a bap bun, served with fries.
• Thai Beef Salad — Beef strips with mesclun salad, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, onion and a spicy chilli dressing.
• Roast Pork — Traditional roast pork with seasonal vegetables, apple sauce and gravy.

Pizzas & Pasta

• Meat Lovers Pizza — Bacon, chorizo, beef and pepperoni on tomato base with mozzarella and smoky BBQ sauce.
• Chicken Pizza — Tomato base, mozzarella, smoked chicken, spinach and cream cheese, with cranberry or spicy sauce.
• Bacon Chicken Penne Pasta — Chicken, jalapenos, peppers, mushrooms, corn chips and chilli flakes in hot buffalo sauce.

Dinner Starters

• Bowl of Fries — Crispy agria fries, seasoned.
• Loaded Wedges — Golden wedges loaded with toppings and sour cream.
• Garlic Bread — Toasted ciabatta with roasted garlic butter and herbs.
• Pork Belly Bites — Slow cooked pork belly with crispy crackle, served in the chef's special sauce.

Char-Grilled Steaks

• 250g Sirloin — Chargrilled to your liking, rested and seasoned, served with fries and salad.
• 200g Scotch Fillet — Chargrilled to your liking, rested and seasoned, served with fries and salad.
• Ribeye Steak — Chargrilled to your liking, rested and seasoned, served with fries and salad.

Frequently asked questions

What are Bishop Brothers' opening hours?

Monday to Sunday, 9am until late, and open on public holidays.

When does the dinner menu start?

The dinner menu is available seven days a week from 4:30pm.

When is brunch and lunch served?

Monday to Friday 11am to 2:30pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9am to 2:30pm.

Where is Bishop Brothers located?

At 119 Farrington Avenue, Bishopdale, Christchurch 8053.

Can I host a fundraising event here?

Yes, Bishop Brothers hosts prize nights, raffles, quiz nights and dining for fundraising, and can help with marketing.

Are there vegetarian options?

Some dishes on the bar menu can be made vegetarian - just ask staff.

Is food available for takeaway or delivery?

Yes, food is available dine in, takeaway, or via Uber Eats.

Tips

• {"body":"Bookings can be made online, especially useful before a busy evening service.","title":"Book ahead for dinner"}
• {"body":"Available for parties, launches and celebrations.","title":"Ask about the private function room"}
• {"body":"Pub quizzes, live music and Sunday afternoon sessions run regularly.","title":"Catch the entertainment lineup"}
• {"body":"Handy if you'd rather enjoy the menu at home.","title":"Order via Uber Eats"}

Good to know

• {"family":"A dedicated kids' menu is available.","dietary":"Some dishes can be made vegetarian on request - ask bar staff."}