The Backbencher Gastropub

About The Backbencher Gastropub

The Backbencher Gastropub is a Wellington institution in the Thorndon precinct, welcoming guests since the early 1900s and keeping a satirical eye on the neighbouring New Zealand Parliament ever since — the pub calls itself 'The House with No Peers.' Set behind refreshed walls that the team says could tell some stories of old, it's built for any occasion, with 20 tap beers, an extensive wine list, cocktails, wall-to-wall live sports, and an updated menu spanning pub classics alongside fresher, healthier options.

The food menu covers shared snacks, a Bencher Board for the table, pizzas served from 4pm to 8pm daily, burgers, mains like fish and chips, sirloin steak and beef cheek, and lighter bowls including a poke bowl and a kimchi chicken bento. Weekdays bring the Lobbyist's Lunch from 12-2pm, and the drinks list runs from champagne and an extensive New Zealand and international wine selection through to craft beers on tap, cocktails, mocktails, and a full spirits list.

Beyond regular service, The Backbencher hosts functions and events with a dedicated Function lead and a dedicated venue, The Cabinet Room. Group bookings of 13 or more require advance email or phone contact, and the pub asks concert or stadium-event patrons to allow extra time for dining during busy periods.

The Backbencher Gastropub: Wellington's Political Pub with a Century of History

Tucked into Thorndon opposite New Zealand's Parliament, The Backbencher Gastropub has been welcoming guests since the early 1900s, earning its self-description as a genuine national treasure. True to its location, the pub keeps a satirical eye on the politics next door, running under the tongue-in-cheek banner 'The House with No Peers,' all watched over by a few familiar political faces around the room.

A Menu Built for Any Occasion

The Backbencher's kitchen covers a lot of ground, from shareable snacks like garlic bread, salt and pepper calamari rings, and Bencher chicken popcorn, up to the Bencher Board — a $90 spread combining several of the pub's shared plates for the table. Pizzas are served daily between 4pm and 8pm, spanning a classic Margherita through to bacon and chicken versions. Burgers include the signature Bencher Burger (beef patty, bacon, gochujang and sesame mayo, truffle cream cheese) alongside a fried chicken burger and a crispy fish burger.

On the mains side, expect pub staples done with a bit of extra care: fish and chips with Thai green tartar sauce, a $41 sirloin steak finished with Cafe de Paris butter, chicken schnitzel with a fried egg, and braised beef cheek with creamed polenta. For lighter or fresher options, the bowls section includes a poke bowl built on cured Stewart Island salmon, a kimchi chicken bento bowl, and a roast vege bowl, each toppable with extras like grilled halloumi or fried squid rings.

A Serious Drinks List

Behind the bar, The Backbencher pours 20 tap beers alongside an extensive wine list covering Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot and blends, and Shiraz/Syrah from across New Zealand and international regions like Australia, Argentina and France, plus champagne and zero-alcohol wine options. The cocktail list features house creations like the Backbencher Cable Car alongside classics such as an Espresso Martini and a shaken or frozen Margarita, with a matching mocktail list for anyone skipping the alcohol. A full spirits list rounds things out, spanning whisky, gin, rum, bourbon, vodka, tequila, and liqueurs.

Weekday Lunch and Live Sport

For a quicker weekday visit, the Lobbyist's Lunch runs from 12pm to 2pm. The pub also promises wall-to-wall live sports coverage, making it a regular stop for match days as much as for dinner or drinks with friends.

Functions, Events and Group Bookings

Beyond regular service, The Backbencher runs a dedicated functions operation, including a specific venue called The Cabinet Room and a dedicated Function lead who stays with clients from planning through to the event itself. Anyone hoping to book a table of 13 or more is asked to get in touch via email or phone in advance, and those heading to a concert or stadium event nearby are advised to allow at least two hours for dining, since wait times increase when the pub gets busy around big events.

Visiting The Backbencher

The Backbencher Gastropub is located at 34 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington, open Monday to Friday from 12pm till late, and Saturday from 4pm till late. Payments can be made by Eftpos, cash, or card, though a 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless payments (Eftpos and cash have no surcharge). The pub can be reached by phone or email, and keeps in touch with regulars through Instagram and Facebook.

Signature items

• Bencher Burger
• Sirloin Steak
• Fish + Chips
• Bencher Board
• Espresso Martini
• Poke Bowl

Menu

Gin

• Tanqueray London Dry / Bitter Orange
• Lighthouse (Wairarapa)
• Gordons Pink / Orange Pink / Orange
• Bombay Sapphire London Dry
• Malfy Blood Orange
• Scapegrace NZ Dry
• Little Biddy (Reefton)
• Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz / Yuzu
• Jinzu (Japan)

Bowls

• Green — Sprouting broccoli, edamame beans, baby spinach, grains, green goddess dressing (v*).
• Kimchi Chicken Bento Bowl — Pan-fried teriyaki chicken, sushi rice, kimchi, seaweed salad, sunomono cucumber, kewpie mayo, toasted sesame seeds.
• Poke — Cured Stewart Island salmon, steamed rice, red onion, avocado, poke dressing, toasted sesame seed, miso aioli (df/gf).
• Roast Vege — Pumpkin, zucchini, carrot, potato, red onion, mushroom, feta, baby spinach, pesto, balsamic reduction (v*/gf).
• Top Ya Bowl Add-ons — Grilled chicken thigh, grilled halloumi, fried squid rings, or baked market fish.

Mains

• Fish + Chips — Beer batter, Thai green tartar sauce, smoked red pepper aioli, lemon, hand cut chips (df).
• Fresh Market Fish — Baked market fish, cauliflower velouté, glazed baby carrot, brown butter almond crumb.
• Sirloin Steak — Cafe de Paris butter, rosemary salted kumara fries, choice of green peppercorn or hollandaise sauce (gf).
• Chicken Schnitzel — Panko crumbed chicken, mashed potato, green peppercorn sauce, fried egg.
• Beef Cheek — Braised beef cheek, creamed polenta, beef jus, sun-dried tomato (gf).
• Pumpkin Soup — Roasted pumpkin soup, whipped feta, garlic bread (v*).

Rosé

• Kopiko Bay (Gisborne)
• Chapoutier (Pays d'Oc, France)
• The Ned (Marlborough)
• Mt Difficulty (Central Otago)
• Te Kairanga (Martinborough)

Dessert

• Warm Chocolate Brownie — Vanilla ice cream and creamy hazelnut butter sauce (gf/v).
• Affogato — Immigrant's Son Espresso, vanilla gelato, milk chocolate, choice of liquor (gf/v).

Riesling

• Roaring Meg (Central Otago)

Cocktails

• Passionfruit Pink Gin Spritz — Gordon's Pink, Lustau Blanco, lemon, passionfruit, soda.
• Espresso Martini — Smirnoff vodka, Kahlua, The Immigrant's Son Espresso.
• Elderflower Gimlet — Gordon's Orange, St Germain, elderflower, lime.
• Pimm's Spritz — Pimm's, Graham Norton Prosecco, lemonade, soda.
• Backbencher Cable Car — Captain Morgan Spiced, Blue Curacao, lemon, simple syrup.
• Rosebud — Vanilla vodka, cranberry, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, rose syrup.
• Margarita (shaken or frozen) — Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, Cointreau, lime.

Mocktails

• Virgin Rosebud — Cranberry, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, rose syrup.
• Passionfruit Elderflower Spritz — Passionfruit, elderflower, lemon, soda.
• Berry Sherbert — Strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, lemon, soda.
• Toffee Apple — Vanilla, apple, cinnamon, lemon, soda.

Chardonnay

• Dashwood (Marlborough)
• Latitude 41 'Moutere' (Nelson)
• Huntaway Reserve (Gisborne)
• Martinborough Vineyards (Martinborough)

Pinot Gris

• Kopiko Bay (Gisborne)
• The Ned (Marlborough)
• Roaring Meg (Central Otago)
• Neudorf (Nelson)

Pinot Noir

• Dashwood (Marlborough)
• Te Tera (Martinborough)
• Gibbston Valley Gold River (Central Otago)
• Roaring Meg (Central Otago)
• Te Kairanga 'John Martin' (Martinborough)

Beer On Tap

• Speight's Gold — 4.0% ABV.
• Speight's Summit Ultra Low Carb — 4.2% ABV.
• Mac's Gold — 4.0% ABV.
• Steinlager Classic — 5.0% ABV.
• Mac's Cloudy Apple Cider — 4.2% ABV.
• Kirin Hyoketsu Lemon — 6.0% ABV.
• Kirin Ichiban First Press Beer — 5.0% ABV.
• Emerson's Pilsner — 4.9% ABV.
• Emerson's Bookbinder Session Ale — 3.7% ABV.
• Emerson's Hazed & Confused Cloudy IPA — 5.8% ABV.
• Panhead Supercharger APA — 5.7% ABV.
• Panhead Road Hog NZ IPA — 5.8% ABV.
• Panhead Pickup Hazy IPA — 5.9% ABV.
• Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale — 5.2% ABV.
• Little Creatures Pale Ale — 5.2% ABV.
• Kilkenny 570ml — 4.3% ABV.
• Guinness 570ml — 4.2% ABV.

Chips & Sides

• Parmesan French Fries — With truffle oil (v/gf).
• Hand Cut Chips — With malt-vinegar aioli (v/gf).
• Kumara Fries — Rosemary salt, smoked paprika hollandaise (v/gf).
• Side Seasonal Vege — (v/gf)

Non-Alcoholic

• Soda — Lemonade / coke / coke zero sugar / ginger ale / ginger beer / tonic.
• Red Bull / Kombucha
• Juice — Orange / apple / pineapple / cranberry.
• Tea — English breakfast / earl grey / peppermint / green.
• Black Coffee — Additions (milk / alt. milk / syrup / extra shot / large) +$1 each.

Rum / Bourbon

• Captain Morgan Dark / Spiced
• Bacardi White / Gold
• Appleton Estate Gold
• Sailor Jerry Spiced
• Jim Beam
• Jack Daniels
• Woodford Reserve
• Maker's Mark

Liquors / Port

• Pimm's
• Baileys
• Southern Comfort
• Malibu
• St Germain
• Fireball
• Vanilla Galliano
• Chatelle Napoleon Brandy
• Kahlua
• Aperol
• Campari
• Cointreau
• Disaronno
• Frangelico
• Jägermeister
• Drambuie
• Taylor's 10yr Tawny Port (45ml)

Shiraz / Syrah

• Wither Hills Syrah (Hawke's Bay)
• Huntaway Syrah (Hawke's Bay)
• Elderton Estate Shiraz (Barossa, Australia)

Merlot / Blends

• Marraso Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
• Wither Hills Merlot (Gisborne/Hawke's Bay)
• Knappstein Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley, Australia)

Sauvignon Blanc

• Kopiko Bay (Marlborough)
• Roaring Meg (Central Otago)
• Vavasour (Marlborough)
• Te Kairanga (Martinborough)

Snacks & Shares

• Garlic Bread — Garlic butter, melting cheese (v).
• Bencher Chicken Popcorn — 'Come back' sauce.
• Crispy Fried Mushrooms — Beer batter, ranch dressing, parmesan, herb oil (v).
• Backbencher Nachos — Melting cheese, whipped avocado, sour cream, pico de gallo. Add chipotle chicken or halloumi (gf).
• Salt + Pepper Calamari Rings — Lemon, smoked paprika hollandaise (gf).
• Prawn Twisters — Yuzu mayo, chili oil.
• Loaded Hand Cut Chips — Melting cheese, sweet chili, sour cream. Add bacon (gf) or halloumi (v/gf).
• Bencher Board — Garlic bread, salt + pepper calamari rings, bencher chicken popcorn, crispy fried mushrooms, prawn twisters — for sharing.

Vodka / Tequila

• Smirnoff
• Ketel One
• Absolut Vanilla
• Grey Goose
• Cîroc
• Jose Cuervo Tradicional
• Olmeca Altos
• Jose Cuervo 1800 Coconut

Whiskey / Whisky

• Canadian Club (blend, Canadian)
• Bushmills Black Bush (blend, Irish)
• Jameson (blend, Irish)
• Johnnie Walker Black 12yr (blend, Scotch)
• Dimple 15yr (blend, Scotch)
• Tobermory 12yr (Isle of Mull)
• Glenkinchie 12yr (Edinburgh)
• Talisker 10yr (Isle of Skye)
• Cragganmore 12yr (Speyside)
• Dalwhinnie 15yr (Highland)
• A'Bunadh (cask strength, Speyside)
• Lagavulin 16yr (Islay)

Zero Alcohol Wine

• McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc (South Australia)
• McGuigan Zero Rose (South Australia)

Burgers & Sandwich

• Bencher Burger — Beef mince patty, brioche bun, bacon, pickled red onion, gochujang & sesame mayo, bourbon sauce, truffle cream cheese, French fries.
• Fried Chicken Burger — Buttermilk chicken thigh, brioche bun, avocado whip, melting cheese, jalapeño mayo, baby cos, French fries.
• Crispy Fish Burger — Beer battered market fish, citrus guacamole, hollandaise sauce, mint slaw, pickled red onion, brioche bun, French fries.

Champagne & Sparkling

• H. Lanvin & Fils Brut (France)
• Veuve Clicquot Brut (France)
• GN Prosecco (Gambellara, Italy)
• Lindauer Rosé 200ml (Marlborough)
• Matahiwi Sparkling Cuvee 250ml (Wairarapa/Hawke's Bay)

Pizzas (4pm-8pm Daily)

• Margherita — Tomato sauce, cheese, basil pesto (v).
• Bacon — Mushroom, tomato sauce, cheese.
• Chicken — Pesto, tomato sauce, cheese.

Bottled / Canned / Zero'S

• Corona — 4.5% ABV.
• Speight's Old Dark — 4.0% ABV.
• Speight's Mid — 2.5% ABV.
• Kirin Hyoketsu Pineapple / Green Apple / Raspberry / Mandarin — 6.0% ABV.
• Corona Cero — 0.0% ABV.
• Steinlager Alcohol Free — <0.5% ABV.
• Emerson's Little Bird — <0.5% ABV.
• Garage Project Tiny But Mighty — <0.5% ABV.
• Mac's Freeride — <0.5% ABV.
• Guinness Zero 440ml — 0.0% ABV.

Frequently asked questions

What are The Backbencher's opening hours?

Monday-Friday from 12pm till late, Saturday from 4pm till late.

Where is The Backbencher located?

34 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington, near NZ Parliament.

How do I book a table for a large group?

For bookings of 13 or more, email [email protected] or call 04 472 3065.

Does The Backbencher host functions and events?

Yes, with a dedicated Function lead and a venue called The Cabinet Room; enquire at [email protected].

When are pizzas available?

Pizzas are served from 4pm to 8pm daily.

Is there a lunch deal?

Yes, the Lobbyist's Lunch runs 12-2pm on weekdays.

Is there a credit card surcharge?

Yes, a 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless payments; Eftpos and cash incur no surcharge.

Tips

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• {"body":"A weekday lunch deal runs 12-2pm — ask about the Lobbyist's Lunch menu.","title":"Try the Lobbyist's Lunch"}
• {"body":"Pizzas are served from 4pm to 8pm daily, so they're not on the lunch menu.","title":"Pizza only available in the evening"}
• {"body":"A 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless payments; Eftpos and cash have no surcharge.","title":"Pay by Eftpos or cash to avoid surcharge"}

Good to know

• {"payments":"2% surcharge on credit card and contactless payments; no surcharge for Eftpos or cash."}