Biological membranes exhibit extraordinary structural and functional complexity, making simplified model systems essential for understanding individual membrane components and processes. Tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) provide a powerful platform for such studies. However, conventional thiol-based anchors have a limited lipid mobility and stability under ambient conditions.1–3 Here, we present the design, synthesis and characterization of novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based tethered bilayer lipid membranes assembled in gold substrate as stable alternative to currently used systems with an optimized surface density and increased mobility.4 Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation was achieved under mild conditions5 using triflate NHC precursors and surface density was systematically tuned through a variation of N,N-substituents.6 Successful SAM formation was confirmed by contact angle measurements, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To assess the applicability of NHC-based SAMs for membrane model systems, lipid bilayers were formed using vesicle fusion with commercially available lipids. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to test bilayer formation and functional performance, and results were compared to conventional thiol-tethered systems.