Bebemos

About Bebemos

Bebemos — say it 'bi-beer-mos' — sits on the corner of Riddiford and Hall Streets and calls itself Newtown's relaxation headquarters. It's a bar and kitchen with a deep drinks line-up: more than 60 international and local boutique bottled beers, a revolving selection of 11 taps, fine wines and a long cocktail list, all matched with an ever-popular Latin-influenced menu of tacos, burgers, quesadillas and share plates.

Inside you can park up next to the fire, or head out to the Cabana — the heated beer garden out back, protected from the elements. The back bar runs deep on New Zealand gins, single malts, tequilas and rums, with organic and vegan-friendly wines, sangria by the jug, mocktails and a solid 0% and low-alcohol range. Free still and soda water is available at all times.

There's usually something on: $5 tacos all day on Tuesdays, a burger and tap beer deal on Thursdays, happy hour twice daily on weekdays and evenings, and free live music on Friday nights. Weekends bring Boundless Brunch with flowing mimosas and tap lager. The kitchen caters widely — the fryer is gluten free, no nuts are used in the kitchen, and dishes are labelled vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-friendly — and the venue is Conscious Consumers accredited.

Bebemos: Newtown's Latin-Inspired Home of Craft Beer, Tacos and Long Nights

On the corner of Riddiford and Hall Streets, Bebemos — say it "bi-beer-mos" — has made a name for itself as Newtown's self-declared relaxation headquarters. It's a bar and kitchen with a clear brief: a deep line-up of drinks, a Latin-inspired menu built for sharing, and a couple of very comfortable places to settle in, beside the fire inside or in the Cabana, the heated beer garden out back that keeps Wellington's weather at arm's length.

A menu with Latin roots

The kitchen leans into Latin classics and pub favourites alike. Small plates run from nachos loaded with guacamole, cheese sauce and salsa, to pão de queijo cheese bread balls, pan-fried prawns with mango jalapeño jam, and three-cheese jalapeño poppers. Tacos come three open corn tortillas to a serve — shredded beef in birria-style smoky gravy, sticky rum-marinated chicken, fried hoki with guacamole, or a vegan battered cauliflower version.

Burgers are a point of pride: smashed beef patties in several forms (including a birria beef burger with pulled chipotle beef and fried onions), fried chicken burgers, a Nashville cauliflower burger for plant-based diners, plus halloumi and fish options. Quesadillas, chicken and cauliflower bites, and desserts like a spicy chocolate fudge brownie round things out, and there's a small kids' menu too.

Dietary needs are well handled. Dishes are labelled vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-friendly, the fryer is gluten free, and the kitchen doesn't use nuts in any of its ingredients — worth knowing if you're dining with allergies.

The drinks are the headline act

Bebemos stocks more than 60 international and local boutique bottled beers alongside a revolving selection of 11 taps — order a tap beer tasting board of four 210mL pours to work through what's pouring. The back bar runs deep: fruity and botanical New Zealand gins, single malts, bourbons, tequilas and rums, plus cocktails spanning Latin classics like the caipirinha and pisco sour, margaritas, espresso martinis and sangria by the jug. Wine drinkers get organic and vegan-friendly options by the glass, and there's a thoughtful no and low-alcohol list from 0% Garage Project cans to mocktails.

What's on

The weekly rhythm gives regulars plenty of excuses. Tuesdays are Taco Tuesday, with $5 tacos all day — mix and match, all gluten free, with vegan options. Thursdays pair any burger with a select tap beer for $30. Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm and Tuesday to Saturday from 8pm to 10pm, with $10 house red, white and sparkling wine, Gisborne Gold and ginger beer pints and desserts, plus $15 beer tasting boards. Friday nights bring live music from improv trio X Undubbed — chill hop grooves with free entry from 7.30pm — while Wednesday bingo is on hold for winter.

Brunch, the boundless way

Weekends belong to Boundless Brunch: any two-hour sitting between 10am and 3pm, with the last seating at 1pm sharp. Choose your brunch meal — burgers and quesadillas, all with fries — and settle in for flowing mimosas and tap lager, or upgrade to the cocktail package with tequila sunrise, sangria or aperol spritz.

Bebemos is a Conscious Consumers-accredited venue, takes table bookings online, and runs a Click & Collect service for ordering ahead. Open from 11.30am on weekdays and 11am on weekends until late, it works equally well for a long weekend brunch, after-work drinks or a midweek taco run.

Signature items

• Nachos
• Birria Beef Burger
• Fish Tacos
• Caipirinha
• Sangria Jug
• Boundless Brunch

Menu

Gin

• Black Gin — By Scapegrace; aronia berry, butterfly pea and saffron
• Rhubarb & Raspberry Gin — By Imagination Gin; fruity base, citrus lift, sweet spice finish
• Blood Orange Gin — By Southward Distilling; NZ blood oranges, distilled in Lyall Bay
• Kawakawa Gin — By The Bond Store; hand-picked kawakawa, distilled on the Kāpiti Coast
• Native Dry Gin — By Reid + Reid; kawakawa, mānuka and horopito, batched in Martinborough
• Reikorangi Dry Gin — By Imagination Gin; juniper and coriander, Kāpiti Coast

Kids

• Fried Chicken & Fries — A kids' portion of fried chicken with fries
• Plain Quesadilla & Fries — Tortilla and cheese; add chicken or beef
• Plain Burger & Fries — Beef patty, cheese and ketchup

Bites

• Chicken Bites — With carrot sticks and ranch; dry Nashville or creole, or saucy crispy chili oil, maple sesame or garlic chimi butter
• Cauliflower Bites — With carrot sticks and ranch; dry Nashville or creole, or saucy crispy chili oil, maple sesame or garlic chimi butter

Tacos

• Shredded Beef Tacos — Three open corn tortillas, birria-style smoky gravy, slaw and salsa
• Shredded Chicken Tacos — Three open corn tortillas, sweet and sticky rum marinade, slaw and salsa
• Fish Tacos — Three open corn tortillas, fried hoki, guacamole and sour cream aioli
• Vegan Tacos — Three open corn tortillas, battered cauliflower, chimichurri, chili mayo and slaw

Burgers

• O.G. Beef Burger — Smashed beef patty, cheese, pickles, ketchup and American mustard
• Gaucho Beef Burger — Two smashed patties, cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, slaw, ketchup and mustard
• Birria Beef Burger — Two smashed patties, pulled chipotle beef, cheese, fried onions and BBQ
• O.G. Chicken Burger — Fried chicken, lettuce, pickles and chili mayo
• Frango Chicken Burger — Fried chicken, mango jalapeño jam, lettuce, tomato, slaw, pickles and aioli
• Birria Chicken Burger — Fried chicken, shredded sticky chicken, lettuce and BBQ
• Nashville Cauli Burger — Spicy battered cauliflower, lettuce, pickles, slaw and chili mayo
• Halloumi Burger — Halloumi, slaw, tomato, lettuce, pickled red onion, BBQ and aioli
• Fish Burger — Battered hoki, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ranch and aioli

Desserts

• Brownie — Chocolate fudge brownie with vanilla gelato; spice optional
• Mango Cheesecake — With a cookie crumb crust
• Ice Cream — Three scoops of chocolate or vanilla

Red Wine

• Decibel Giunta Hawke's Bay Malbec Nouveau — Plum, tamarillo, spice and sweet herb with moderately sweet tannins
• Bideona Tempranillo de Laderas Rioja — Spanish red; cherry, floral notes, oak-aged with fine-grained tannins
• Coriole Songbird Cabernet Sauvignon — McLaren Vale; cassis, red berries, bitter chocolate and crunchy tannins
• Kirrihill Shiraz — Clare Valley; full-bodied, rich dark berry flavours and elegant tannins

Mocktails

• Limeade — Lemonade, lime juice, soda and sugar; passionfruit, watermelon or mango
• Mock-Margarita — Lime juice, agave nectar, tonic and sea salt rim; OG or fruity
• Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail — Grapefruit soda, lime juice, simple syrup and sea salt rim

White Wine

• Torea Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — Gooseberry, citrus and vibrant passionfruit
• Tapi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — Fruit-driven, zesty acidity, underlying minerality; organic
• Ash Ridge Hawke's Bay Estate Chardonnay — Medium-bodied with candied lemon, butter and citrus
• Decibel Giunta Hawke's Bay Pinot Gris — Dry, crunchy and barrel-fermented
• Huia Tangle Marlborough Blend — Pinot Gris, Viognier, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc; dry, complex, golden grapefruit and lemon curd

Quesadillas

• Shredded Beef Quesadilla — Flour tortilla, cheese, salsa, chimichurri, chili mayo, slaw and sour cream aioli
• Shredded Chicken Quesadilla — Flour tortilla, cheese, salsa, chimichurri, chili mayo, slaw and sour cream aioli
• Chili Beans Quesadilla — Flour tortilla, cheese, salsa, chimichurri, chili mayo, slaw and sour cream aioli

Beer & Cider

• Tap Beer Tasting Board — Four 210mL tasters of your choice from the rotating tap list
• Auro Gluten Free Ale — Gluten-free ale by Kererū, 5%
• Gisborne Green Pilsner — Pilsner by Sunshine, 4.8%
• Greyhound Hazy Beer — Low-carb hazy by Parrotdog, 4.3%
• Night Ryder Stout — Stout by Bayland's, 5.8%
• Whippy Milkshake IPA — IPA by Duncan's, 6.3%
• Peach Bomb — Fruited can by Hawke's Bay Brewing Co, 5%, gluten free
• Peckham's Apple Cider — Apple cider, 5.6%, gluten free
• Peckham's Berry Cider — Berry cider, 5.2%, gluten free

Small Plates

• Nachos — Tortilla crisps with guacamole, cheese sauce, sour cream and salsa — shredded beef, chicken or chili beans
• Fries — Served with chili mayo, small or large
• Chips & Guac — Corn chips with house guacamole
• Garlic Bread — Ciabatta with whipped feta and chimichurri garlic butter
• Pão de Queijo — Brazilian cheese bread balls with chili mayo
• Pan-Fried Prawns — With chimichurri, garlic oil, mango jalapeño jam and rocket
• Fried Chicken — With slaw, pickled onions and chili mayo
• Jalapeño Poppers — Three cheeses with sour cream aioli
• Harvest Salad — Pear, rocket, crumbled vegan feta, pepitas and agave ginger lime dressing

Tequila & Rum

• Calle 23 — Tequila blanco, un-aged 100% agave
• Herradura — Tequila reposado, 11 months in American white oak
• Flor de Caña Gran Reserva — Seven-year-aged Nicaraguan rum, sugar-free
• Helmsman Spiced Rum — Caribbean rum with cinnamon and vanilla notes

Latin Classics

• Caipirinha — Cachaça, muddled lime and sugar; OG, passionfruit, watermelon or mango
• Daiquiri — White rum, lime juice and simple syrup; choice of flavours
• Pisco Sour — Pisco, lemon juice and simple syrup
• Cherry Brandy Sour — Cherry brandy liqueur, bourbon, lemon juice, syrup and bitters
• Sangria Jug — Red, white or rosé with brandy, passionfruit, lemon and orange juice

Alcohol Removed

• Edenvale 0% Sparkling Cuvée — Alcohol-removed sparkling in a 200mL piccolo

House Cocktails

• Blood Orange Gin Fizz — Blood orange gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and soda
• Negroni — Bond Store kawakawa gin, Campari, Dolin vermouth rouge, orange garnish
• Espresso Martini — Bond Store Kāpiti Coast vodka, Brown Fox liqueur, espresso and syrup
• No-Nut Butter Martini — Sheepdog peanut butter whiskey (nut-free), Brown Fox liqueur and espresso

Brunch Cocktails

• Spritz — Aperol or Campari with prosecco, soda and orange garnish
• Mimosa — Sparkling brut and orange juice
• Mango Bellini — Sparkling brut, mango purée and grenadine

Low & No Alcohol

• Zeffer 0% Apple Cider — Alcohol-free cider, gluten free
• Kererū 0% Ginger Beer with Turmeric — Alcohol-free ginger beer, gluten free
• Tiny 0% Hazy — Alcohol-free hazy by Garage Project
• Tiny 0% XPA — Alcohol-free XPA by Garage Project
• Tiny 0% Lager — Alcohol-free lager by Garage Project
• Watchdog 0% IPA — Alcohol-free IPA by Parrotdog
• Fugazi Table Beer — Table beer by Garage Project, 2.2%
• Short Board Pale Ale — Pale ale by Mount Brewing, 2.5%
• White Mischief — Salted peach kettle sour by Garage Project, 2.9%

Whisky & Bourbon

• Glenmorangie 10 Year — Highland single malt; fruity, nectarine and lemon notes
• Laphroaig 10 Year — Islay malt; heavy smoke with seaweed and licorice finish
• Glenfiddich 12 Year — Speyside; butterscotch, cream, malt and subtle oak
• Bowmore 12 Year — Islay; peat smoke, citrus and vanilla
• Monkey Shoulder — Speyside blended malt; zesty orange, spice and vanilla
• Woodford Reserve — Kentucky bourbon; spiced fruit, vanilla bean, brown sugar
• Sheepdog Peanut Butter & Whiskey — Kentucky; peanut butter and caramel notes, contains no nuts

Sparkling & Rosé

• Da Luca Prosecco — Fresh, zingy citric flavours
• No.1 Assemble NV Brut — Marlborough méthode traditionelle; fresh, inviting, sophisticated toasty character
• Alpha Domus Sparkling Rosé — Strawberry, raspberry, lychee and turkish delight
• Bijou Terre de Provence French Rosé — Delicate berries, floral honeysuckle and citrus

Tequila Cocktails

• Margarita — Tequila, Cointreau, agave nectar, lime, sea salt rim; OG, fruit or spicy
• Paloma — Tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice, syrup and sea salt rim
• Rio Sunrise — Tequila, grenadine and orange juice

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• Espresso — Short black
• Long Black — Long or americano
• Flat White, Latte or Cappuccino — With a choice of blue, coconut or oat milk
• Mocha — Coffee with chocolate
• Hot Chocolate — Classic hot chocolate
• Vanilla Chai Latte — Large chai with vanilla
• Spiced Chai Latte — Large spiced chai
• Lemon, Honey & Ginger — Warm and soothing
• Iced Coffee — Iced black or iced white
• Pot of Tea — Earl grey, English breakfast, berrylicious fruit tisane, rooibos, chamomile or green tea

Soft Drinks & Juices

• Soft Drinks — Pepsi, ginger ale, 7UP, tonic or Coke Zero
• House Lemon Lime & Bitters — House-made LLB
• Kererū Ginger Beer with Turmeric — Non-alcoholic ginger beer with turmeric
• Juices — Apple, orange, pineapple or cranberry
• Almighty Juices — Guava lime & apple, or carrot orange & turmeric

Frequently asked questions

What are Bebemos' opening hours?

Monday to Friday 11.30am to late; Saturday and Sunday 11am to late.

Can I book a table?

Yes — Bebemos takes table bookings online via its website, and also offers a Click & Collect service for ordering ahead.

Is there gluten-free food?

Yes. Many dishes are gluten-free friendly, the fryer is gluten free, and all Tuesday tacos are gluten free. Coeliacs should let staff know when ordering.

Are there vegan options?

Yes — the Nashville Cauli Burger, vegan tacos, harvest salad with vegan feta and vegan wines are among the plant-based options.

What is Boundless Brunch?

A weekend deal: any two-hour sitting between 10am and 3pm (last seating 1pm sharp). Choose a brunch meal and enjoy flowing mimosas and tap lager, or upgrade to the cocktail package.

Do you cater for nut allergies?

No nuts are used in the kitchen or in any of the ingredients. Always mention allergies to staff when ordering.

What's on during the week?

Taco Tuesday with $5 tacos all day, Burger & Beer Thursdays for $30, Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3–5pm and Tue–Sat 8–10pm, and free live music from X Undubbed on Friday nights from 7.30pm.

Tips

• {"body":"House wines, Gisborne Gold and ginger beer pints and desserts drop to $10 during Happy Hour — Mon–Fri 3–5pm and Tue–Sat 8–10pm.","title":"Time it with Happy Hour"}
• {"body":"Four 210mL tasters of your choice from the rotating tap list is a great way to sample the 11-tap line-up.","title":"Try the tap tasting board"}
• {"body":"Boundless Brunch sittings run from 10am, and the last seating starts at 1pm sharp on Saturdays and Sundays — get in early for a spot.","title":"Book brunch early"}
• {"body":"The heated beer garden out back keeps things cosy in cooler months; inside there's a fire to park up next to.","title":"Rug up in the Cabana"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids' menu with fried chicken, quesadilla and burger meals","dietary":"Gluten-free fryer; no nuts used in the kitchen; vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-friendly dishes labelled"}