Welcome to Girl Walks into a Bar, a weekly Gut Check feature that spotlights local bars and bartenders. This is part one of Alissa Nelson's two-part profile of Chez Marilyn bartender Jacob Scarborough. Part two, a Q&A with Scarborough, can be found here.
Contrary to what you may have read, not all Alton bartenders go topless. Take Jacob Scarborough of Chez Marilyn, a cozy joint in downtown's pedestrian-friendly historic district.
As a visitor from the big city, this Girl knew about exactly three things about Alton: It's home to Fast Eddie's Bon Air, beaucoup antique stores and naked lady bartenders (see, when RFT writes an exposé, it's an exposé). Sadly, many of the business owners in the city's historic downtown bristle at the notion that they might be conflated with the Metro East's more risqué establishments.
Chez Marilyn, however, has nothing to worry about. The combination bar/hair salon is nothing if not female-friendly, what with its wide array of well-prepared martinis and very clothed and very male bartender Jacob Scarborough.
