The Backbencher Reviews

Came here after a function at Parliament, was absolutely packed out. Unfortunately we were not able to get a table. Will try the next time we are in Wellington, becuase if the crowd was anything to go by this place must be good.

pretty cool place good place to catch the footy game witha pint realjg gold on political night scan meet a few lkcam celebrities nice menu nice vibes cant reallg complain go there and you'll be guaranteed for a few laughs and a good time

Excellent place highly recommend it for Food and atmosphere.

Had the best time here before the BIG Anzac day clash between St.Kilda and Brisbane. Who....? This is the A.F.L. The best footy league going around!!
The bar staff told us the best places in town and then even came out for the night to make sure we had the best time!!!
We are most certainly coming back next year!!!!
Cant wait to party with everyone again!!!

Novelty wears off pretty quick. Drinks and food are priced on the steep side. Cool, intelligent atmosphere tho.

Awesome food! The Backbencher is a true gastro pub! We had a really great time.

Fantastic food. what they lack in a smaller range on the menu, they more than make up for in the gastronomic delights served up. Piping hot, flavoursome and fast - well, for 5:30pm on a Monday anyway.

Expensive for what you get and the lack of quality. The eggs with the burger still raw in parts and the pan seared fish had soggy skin. Also surprised how sticky the tables were had to peel the menu off, didn't feel clean at all. All in all not a great experience. I guess theere is a captive audience given the location.

Some of the BEST Boreworse (South African Sausage) I ve had in a long time. Great vibe...great staff.
Special edition Emerson on tap. Real treat.

Good food and drinks.
the staff are also friendly and hardworking.

the atmosphere is good and the cafe is cozy with all the dark wooden table and chairs.

Not impressed with food, either no flavour or burnt. Sorry won't be back.

Expensive drinks, there are definitely cheaper bars in Wellington.

Average food. Interesting interior for sure. Great staff though.

Sort the flies out! Very distracting when you are swatting fruit flies away in the middle of trying to have a meal. Not nice at all.

Not bad. Good atmosphere, but only had a couple of beers here. Will need to come back to wine and dine with my partner. Maybe well be hitting up five stars then for sure. Good relaxing vibe.

Wonderful food, imaginative and delicious. Good selection of wines. Excellent service.

Great menu and fast service, food superb, drinks selection good. Quiet night so meals came super quick.

I love this place for two reasons. Firstly, because I had my first Lion Brown here. Secondly, because of good times with friends.

Good selection of beer and they will normally be playing sport in at least one of their bars. Friendly staff and decent bar food. Could do with a better cider selection.

Awesome staff, fun atmosphere, great food! Brought my family in for a meal while they were in town and they're still raving about the chicken sandwiches. Good selection of beers on tap too. Will be back. Excited to order online with them until I can visit again in person.

Good place for dinks and food. Stuff is good and pay attention to the customers

The staff were really lovely and the prices are good considering how much ya get. Would defos come back here!

Great bar, he's a few big screens for sports and good beer selection.

Wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Great tasting pub food.

above average food quality & service. that's why we have been there twice in last 3 - 4 months. also the Parliament is just cross road. it is very nice to have an relax walk after meal when weather is OK.

A night of absolute laughter and great staff. Beautiful food and great atmosphere.

Great pub food and friendly staff. Good craft beers!

Nice bar with separate room for bar tables and sports screening

One of the older bars in the city. Usually flocked by the politicians. The menu names are very interesting. The caricature statues on the wall are equally hilarious. A must visit even for a quick visit in the city.

Enjoy this pub. Iconic puppets of the wellington political scene

Great place and the staff are awesome ( you may even spot the occasional politician!) . An essential Wellington experience.

Super service in great surroundings among the many puppets which are a great taking point.

Great spot, good drinks & food. Fantastic on a sunny afternoon when opened up. -1 star for sometimes smelling fishy inside.

Always a nice place to have meal and something to drink

Breakfast here is the benchmark most others fail to get near

Good healthy options amongst the regular restaurant offerings!

Great spot. After work beer with an atmosphere. Food here is also great. Like the different areas especially the sports bar in the back.

Great place, super friendly staff and very flexible menu for fussy eaters (within reason of course)

Have to be the friendliest staff here. Popped in for a 8pm drink on Sunday. That Hannah waitress is super friendly, some great banter. Ask her for the "deer pie".

Beer, food and service are all standard but it is fun being amongst the puppets and art work :)

It gets really busy specially lunch times and evenings for after work drinks and get together. The place tends to be so noisey and hard to listen to any conversations when fully packed. But do check out the place for the dummy carricatures of politicians and even politicians in person having a drink or two .

Great bar and had great meal there...will definitely return for more...

Always a great place to meet in Wellington where you can see some familiar faces.

Always a great pub with good food and friendly, professional Staff.

Hosted us for an afternoon party after a march on parliament and was most accommodating. Great selection of drinks, tasty platters of nibbles, including nice, fat olives. Plenty of room but besides the bench seats the seating wasn't all that comfy. Still a great venue to retire to after a good day's campaigning across the road!

Decent food. Love the artwork around the place. Close to parliament for you tourists. Love how the menu is all referenced to local and former politicians. Definitely worth a try

Very nice place! Great for a quick bite and coffee.

Love the TV series and it was great to see the figurines

Not great. Fussy silly menu. Good service and location.

Delicious food, used a GrabOne voucher and it was definitely worth it! Definitely recommend.

Superb food and great service. The fish (John Dory) was melting in our mouth, seasoned perfectly and was accompanied by a bottle of NZ Pinot Gris. The desserts are a must try: divine! This made our dinner a memorable event. We will be back!

Average food and average service. We went on a Tuesday night and had to go to the bar to pick up my own drink that was sitting there for around 5 minutes. Got the duck croquettes and they were incredibly dry. One other got the steak which wasn t cooked to medium rare but was still good. Nice atmosphere although they need to do something re air con or similar as not a good look with the waitress fanning herself with the order pad while taking your order.

Fabulous burger for WOAP. Great selection of food and drink. Attentive staff and music at good volume. Can't wait to go there again!