Downtown bar draws protest with ‘Date Grape Koolaid’

Nearly a hundred people turned out Saturday evening to protest at the grand opening of the Daiquiri Factory in downtown Spokane, loudly chanting objections to a drink named “Date Grape Koolaid.”

The protest was organized on Facebook in a matter of hours after the nightclub posted its drink menu on Friday. Taylor Malone set up a page on the social media site advertising the protest.

“I am a two-time rape survivor,” she said. Malone said the name trivializes and shames victims of rape and said she asked the business to change the name. “They responded by mocking us. They doubled down and made an even bigger joke of it,” she said.

The crowd held signs and chanted slogans, including, “Rape is no joke, I hope you go broke.”

Wendy Gaskill held a sign that said “Warning: This bar thinks date rape is funny.” Gaskill said she came because she believes the business is showing blatant disrespect for sexual assault victims. “They were condescending; they were victim-shaming,” she said. “I cannot stand for that.”

A few hecklers countered the chanting crowd but drifted away after a police officer arrived.

An employee at the door of the business said no one inside had any comment. The bar did post comments on Twitter and Facebook thanking customers for their support.

“And yes, the Date Grape Koolaid is selling out. Time to make MORE!” it tweeted. “Come On In! We are having a Grape Time!!”