The Western Slope Whiskey Club is giving women their long-overdue spotlight with an intimate mixology event aimed at education, connection, and breaking stereotypes.
They’re calling it more than just a cocktail night. Scheduled for April 10 at SoCo Social in Grand Junction, the evening promises far more than sipping spirits. Guests will explore the stories behind classic drinks, learn practical bartending skills, and share space with other women who are just as curious about whiskey as they are.
Debra Halliday, who runs the club, says that’s exactly the point. “I always say, if you walk away learning one new thing—a brand, a term, a method—then it’s been a success.” And judging by the buzz around the event, plenty of people are hoping to do just that.
Breaking the Mold, One Sip at a Time
For a long time, whiskey wasn’t marketed to women. It sat in the same cultural shelf space as cigars and sports bars—loud, smoky, and testosterone-heavy.
Debra Halliday never bought into that.
“I got tired of waiting for whiskey to come find us,” she said. “So I created a place where we could just show up and learn—without having to feel like we needed a decoder ring.”
That space became the Western Slope Whiskey Club. It’s casual, inclusive, and entirely fueled by Halliday’s desire to shake things up.
She’s not just creating a club. She’s rewriting expectations.
The Class Is More Than Cocktails
So what exactly happens at a women’s whiskey night?
For starters, you won’t find intimidating lectures or pretentious pours. Instead, it’s an informal, hands-on session built around fun, function, and a splash of history. Here’s what attendees can expect:
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Learn the basics of mixology, from muddling herbs to mastering ratios
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Explore the origins of iconic whiskey-based cocktails
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Get hands-on practice making drinks like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan
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Take home tricks you can actually use at your next dinner party
And while the drinks are certainly a draw, Halliday insists that it’s the “aha moments” that really hit home. One woman might learn what a “bitters wash” is. Another might discover her favorite rye.
There’s no pressure. Just curiosity.
Women Are Reclaiming the Whiskey Narrative
There’s a bigger picture here. And it’s not just about one club or one event. The whiskey industry has been slowly waking up to the fact that women aren’t just passive consumers.
They’re enthusiasts. Makers. Experts. Critics. And they’re no longer waiting for permission to be part of the story.
In fact, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, women now account for roughly 37% of whiskey consumers, up from 29% a decade ago. That’s a major shift.
It’s not just about numbers either. Brands are starting to pivot their messaging, packaging, and community efforts. More distilleries are being founded or co-founded by women. And groups like Women Who Whiskey, Bourbon Women, and of course, Western Slope Whiskey Club are stepping up to offer real-world spaces where women feel welcome.
Still, Halliday says there’s work to do. “Whiskey’s always had gatekeepers,” she admits. “But the gate’s wide open now. You just have to walk through it.”
Local Support Is Pushing Things Forward
Grand Junction may not scream “whiskey capital,” but that’s kind of the point. Smaller cities like this are where movements often begin.
SoCo Social, the venue hosting the April 10 event, is known for championing local events and creative community gatherings. Their team jumped on board the moment Halliday reached out.
There’s something special about that kind of grassroots support. It’s not flashy. It’s not funded by multimillion-dollar ad campaigns. But it works.
Halliday says this is how real change happens. One neighborhood. One happy hour. One drink at a time.
A Look at the Western Slope Whiskey Club
Here’s a quick snapshot of what the club offers throughout the year:
| Event Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Whiskey Evenings | Educational mixology nights with open discussion | Quarterly |
| Distillery Tours | Local visits with behind-the-scenes access | Biannually |
| Themed Tasting Flights | Region- or brand-focused sampling sessions | Monthly |
| Whiskey & Food Pairings | Curated dinners featuring whiskey pairings | Seasonal |
Each event offers something a little different. Some are public. Others are invite-only. But all of them are meant to educate, entertain, and encourage people—especially women—to engage with whiskey in their own way.
This One’s Personal for Halliday
Halliday’s own journey with whiskey didn’t start in a fancy bar or at a distillery tour. It started in her kitchen.
“I was just trying to learn how to make a decent cocktail for a dinner party,” she laughs. “Next thing I knew, I was down a rabbit hole.”
That curiosity became a hobby. The hobby became a passion. And eventually, she realized she wasn’t alone. Other women were just as interested—but didn’t have a space to explore without feeling judged.
So she built one.
Now, she’s got over 100 active members in the Western Slope Whiskey Club and a waiting list that stretches longer with each event.
Tickets Are Limited—But the Idea Isn’t
This April 10 event may only have a few dozen seats. But the concept behind it? That’s bigger than one night.
It’s about making whiskey feel accessible. Giving women a place at the table—or behind the bar. And creating moments that matter, one sip at a time.
