Bishop Brothers Public House

About Bishop Brothers Public House

Bishop Brothers Public House is a neighbourhood gastropub at 119 Farrington Avenue in Bishopdale, Christchurch — a venue that draws its identity from the rich history of the suburb it calls home. The name honours Robert, James, and William Bishop, three brothers who established a pip-fruit orchard on the fertile Bishopdale land in 1858–1859, giving the suburb both its name and its agricultural legacy.

The venue channels that heritage through an interior that blends apple packhouse rustic with 50s diner chic — think solid wooden furniture, funky seating, and retro flourishes. Guests can relax in the sunny courtyard, book the private function room for events and celebrations, or settle in for a full dining experience across brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert menus.

The kitchen is serious about food, running a broad menu from morning through to late evening seven days a week. Brunch and lunch offer a simple flat-price lineup at $21.50 per item. Dinner opens up into a full gastropub menu with starters, burgers, pizzas, mains, chargrilled steaks, and desserts. Dine-in is available alongside takeaway and Uber Eats.

Beyond the food, Bishop Brothers is a genuine local hub — hosting pub quizzes, live music, Sunday afternoon sessions, and sporting events on the big screen. The venue also has an 18-machine gaming lounge and TAB, and actively supports community fundraising with quiz nights, prize nights, raffles, and dining events.

Bishop Brothers Public House: Bishopdale's Neighbourhood Gastropub with a Fruitful History and a Full Menu

There's a story behind the name at Bishop Brothers Public House, and it's one that runs deep into the roots of the Christchurch suburb it calls home. In 1858, brothers Robert and James Bishop bought land in what was then known as Bishopsdale (the second 's' was later dropped) and established a pip-fruit orchard on the fertile river-bed ground. A year later, their brother William joined them, and the three Bishop brothers built a homestead where Bishopdale School now stands. The suburb grew from their legacy — and so did the inspiration for this neighbourhood gastropub.

Today, Bishop Brothers Public House at 119 Farrington Avenue picks up that thread in a setting that blends an apple packhouse aesthetic with 50s diner chic. Funky seating meets solid wooden furniture and retro flourishes, and the result is a space that feels both characterful and genuinely comfortable. There's a sunny courtyard for relaxed drinks, a private function room for events, and a dining room where the kitchen takes the gastropub brief seriously.

A Menu That Covers Every Occasion

The kitchen runs across brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with a kids' menu too. Brunch and lunch — served Monday to Friday from 10am and from 9am on weekends and public holidays — run on a straightforward flat pricing model: all items $21.50. The lineup includes Eggs Benedict on sourdough with hollandaise (choice of bacon, smoked salmon, or halloumi), the Big Breakfast on ciabatta, Chicken Waffles with southern fried chicken, maple syrup and whipped cream, Seafood Chowder with house-made velouté and crostini, Corn Fritters with bacon and sweet chilli, and a Steak Sandwich with 150g rump on ciabatta. Bishop Burgers offer a choice of Buffalo Chicken, Beef, or Vegetarian.

Dinner runs from 5pm seven days and opens with a strong starters section — Pork Belly Bites ($18), Pork Dumplings with soy sauce and slaw ($18), Salt n Pepper Squid with cashew coconut sauce ($18), and Southern Fried Chicken with chipotle mayo ($18). Pizzas ($27) and burgers ($28) both come with solid lineups, while the mains stretch from Crispy Pork Belly ($33) and slow-cooked Beef Cheeks in red wine ($32) to a full pound of BBQ Ribs ($32), Baked Salmon with hollandaise and asparagus ($38), and the Market Fish — Tarakihi, beer-battered or pan-fried ($32).

Steaks, Entertainment, and Events

The chargrilled steak section is a highlight. Three cuts are available: 300g Rump ($36), 300g Sirloin ($40), and the signature 350g Flintstone Ribeye ($44). Each comes chargrilled to your specification — from rare through to well done — with a choice of two sides from a generous list and a sauce from mushroom, pepper, garlic butter, or red wine jus.

Beyond the dining room, Bishop Brothers runs a full entertainment programme: pub quizzes, live music, Sunday afternoon sessions, and sporting events on the big screen. The venue also houses an 18-machine gaming lounge and TAB. The private function room is available for hire, and the team actively supports fundraising events — from quiz nights and raffles to prize nights and group dining. Dine-in is complemented by takeaway and Uber Eats, and gift vouchers are available for anyone looking for an easy present.

Signature items

• 350g Flintstone Ribeye
• BBQ Ribs
• Baked Salmon
• Pork Belly Bites
• Chicken Waffles
• Eggs Benedict

Menu

Sides

• Side (choose from list) — Jacket Potato, Mash, Fries, Mushrooms, Green Salad, Vegetables, Onion Rings, Fried Eggs, Coleslaw

Pizzas

• Meat Lovers Pizza — Bacon, chorizo, beef, pepperoni on tomato base with cheese and smoky BBQ sauce
• Chicken Cranberry Pizza — Tomato base with smoked chicken, spinach, cream cheese and cranberry sauce
• Mexican Chicken Pizza — Chicken, jalapeños, peppers, mushrooms, corn chips, chilli flakes, buffalo sauce
• Vegetarian Pizza — Tomato base with haloumi, red onion, olives, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes

Desserts

• Creme Brulee — Vanilla custard with caramelized sugar, berry compote and shortbread biscuits
• Mini Pavlova — Soft pavlova with berries and whipped cream
• Sticky Date Pudding — Date sponge with caramel sauce, served warm with vanilla ice cream
• Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with marshmallows, caramel popcorn, M&Ms; choice of chocolate, passionfruit or raspberry

Dinner Mains

• Crispy Pork Belly — Pork belly with crispy crackling, jacket potatoes, garlic-sautéed vegetables, rich jus
• Beef Cheeks — Slow-cooked beef cheeks in red wine sauce on creamy mash with seasonal vegetables
• BBQ Ribs — Full pound of slow-cooked smoky BBQ ribs with crispy fries and side salad
• Chicken Hongroise — Chicken breast stuffed with cranberry & cream cheese on mash, paprika sauce
• Thai Beef Salad — Beef strips tossed through mesclun with cherry tomatoes, peppers, spicy chilli dressing
• Beef Hotpot Pie — Rich beef stew under golden puff pastry with mashed potatoes and pea purée
• Baked Salmon — Baked salmon on creamy mash with asparagus, seasonal vege and hollandaise
• Prawn Linguini — Prawns sautéed in garlic chilli tossed with linguine, cherry tomatoes, parmesan
• Market Fish (Tarakihi) — Beer-battered or pan-fried Tarakihi with fries, side salad, tartare sauce, lemon
• Roast of the Day — Chef's selection of roasted meats with jacket potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rich jus
• Vegetarian Linguini — Creamy pasta with red peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, garlic, chilli, lemon zest

Dinner Starters

• Flat Breads — Choice of Sweet Chilli & Cream Cheese, or Pesto & Parmesan
• Pork Belly Bites — Slow-cooked pork belly with crispy crackle in chef's special sauce
• Popcorn Cauliflower — Battered cauliflower with barbeque and sweet chilli sauce
• Seafood Chowder — Medley of seafood in thick creamy velouté, served with garlic bread
• Garlic Bread — Toasted ciabatta with roasted garlic, butter and fresh herbs
• Salt n Pepper Squid — Coconut milk-marinated squid with salad and cashew coconut sauce
• Southern Fried Chicken — Tender southern fried chicken pieces with chipotle mayo and lime
• Pork Dumplings — Pork and chive stuffed dumplings with soy sauce and slaw garnish

Burgers (Served With Fries)

• Buffalo Chicken Burger — Grilled chicken thigh in buffalo sauce, coleslaw, pickles, bacon, ranch
• Vegetarian Burger — Haloumi and pineapple with lettuce, red onion, tomato, creamy aioli
• Beef Burger — Beef patty with coleslaw, bacon, beetroot chutney, sweet onion jam, tomato

Chargrilled Steaks (Choose 2 Sides + Sauce)

• 300g Rump — Chargrilled, rested, seasoned with flaky salt and New York pepper
• 300g Sirloin — Chargrilled, rested, seasoned with flaky salt and New York pepper
• 350g Flintstone Ribeye — Chargrilled, rested, seasoned with flaky salt and New York pepper

Brunch & Lunch ($21.50 Each, Mon–Fri 10am–3pm, Sat/Sun/PH 9am–3pm)

• Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs on sourdough with spinach, hollandaise; choice of bacon, smoked salmon or halloumi
• Big Breakfast — 2 eggs (poached/scrambled/fried), bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomato, hashbrowns on ciabatta
• Chicken Waffles — Two fluffy waffles with southern fried chicken and bacon, whipped cream and maple syrup
• Seafood Chowder — House-made medley of seafood in thick creamy velouté, served with crostini
• Fish & Chips — Beer-battered or pan-fried fish, golden fries, side salad, tartare sauce, lemon
• Roast of the Day — Roasted meats with duck fat potatoes, steamed seasonal vegetables and rich jus
• Corn Fritters With Bacon — Sweet corn fritters topped with bacon, sweet chilli and sour cream
• Steak Sandwich — 150g rump with house slaw, tomato, cheese and caramelized onion on ciabatta, fries
• Chicken Schnitzel — Crumbed chicken schnitzel with salad, fries and mushroom sauce
• Bishop Burgers — Choice of Buffalo Chicken, Beef, or Vegetarian burger on bap bun with fries
• Thai Beef Salad — Tender beef strips on mesclun with cherry tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, spicy chilli dressing
• Pasta of the Day — Chef's curated pasta; can be customised for vegetarian preferences

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours at Bishop Brothers Public House?

Monday to Friday 9am until late, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until late, and open for breakfast on public holidays.

When is brunch and lunch served?

Brunch and lunch are served Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9am to 3pm. All brunch and lunch items are $21.50.

When does dinner service start?

Dinner is served seven days a week from 5pm.

Can I book the private function room for events?

Yes — Bishop Brothers has a private function room available for hire for parties, events, and launches. They also support fundraising events including quiz nights, prize nights, raffles, and group dining.

Does Bishop Brothers offer takeaway or delivery?

Yes — the venue offers dine-in, takeaway, and Uber Eats.

Is there entertainment at Bishop Brothers?

Yes. The venue hosts pub quizzes, live music, Sunday afternoon sessions, and sporting events on the big screen. There is also an 18-machine gaming lounge and TAB on site.

Do they have a kids' menu?

Yes, Bishop Brothers has a kids' menu available.

Tips

• {"body":"The 350g chargrilled Ribeye at $44 is the standout steak on the menu — choose two sides from the full list and a sauce. Ask for it medium-rare for best results.","title":"Order the Flintstone Ribeye if you're a steak person"}
• {"body":"Every brunch and lunch item is $21.50 — no price anxiety. Great value for a sit-down meal that covers everything from Eggs Benny to a Steak Sandwich.","title":"Brunch flat pricing makes it easy"}
• {"body":"The private function room is bookable for events of all kinds. Contact the team by phone (03 359 2930) or email to lock in dates and discuss fundraising or event options.","title":"Book the function room for groups"}
• {"body":"The entertainment programme changes — pub quizzes, live music and Sunday sessions are all on the calendar. Check the What's On page or their Facebook before heading in.","title":"Check What's On before you visit"}
• {"body":"Bishop Brothers sells gift vouchers — a useful option for occasions where you want to give someone a proper night out rather than a physical gift.","title":"Gift vouchers are available if you want to give the experience as a gift"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available; relaxed neighbourhood setting"}