Bill Wilkinson, owner of Wilky’s Sports Bar in downtown Marietta, recently announced the purchase of The Edgewater Cafe, at 860 Muskingum River Road. Wilkinson said they will reopen the establishment as Wilky’s On The Water where they plan to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Wilky’s Sports Bar is set to make waves in Washington County with its upcoming expansion to the former Edgewater location.

“Our goal is to be the biggest and best sports bar restaurant on the river,” owner Bill Wilkinson said. “People will come off the river specifically to visit us.”

Wilkinson transformed the former Tiber Way location in downtown Marietta into a sports bar that has already received significant recognition, including being named Best New Business of the Year by the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business of the Year by the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We wanted to create something Marietta needed, a true sports bar with spectacular food and service,” Wilkinson said.

General Manager Jason Ware said Wilky’s is more than just a bar.

Bill Wilkinson, owner of Wilky’s Sports Bar in downtown Marietta, recently announced the purchase of The Edgewater Cafe, 860 Muskingum River Road. Wilkinson said they will reopen the establishment as Wilky’s On The Water where they plan to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“We offer a wide variety of food options, entertainment and an environment where people feel like part of a community,” Ware said.

Bar Manager Logan Piatt said they pride themselves on their staff and creating an entertainment experience.

“We’re not just servers or bartenders – we’re entertainers,” she said. “We want to make people feel like friends and want to come back.”

Wilkinson and his team have plans to transform the former Edgewater at 860 Muskingum River Road into a comprehensive entertainment destination they’re calling Wilky’s On The Water.

“We’re not just opening a bar; we’re creating an environment where people can come together and have fun,” Ware said.

Wilky’s Sports Bar, located at the former Tiber Way location in downtown Marietta, has already received significant recognition, including being named Best New Business of the Year by the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business of the Year by the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce. Owner Bill Wilkinson said he plans to reopen The Edgewater Cafe, located at 860 Muskingum River Road, as Wilky’s On The Water, where they plan to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo provided)

“We’re creating an indoor-outdoor destination that will serve motorcyclists, farmers and the river communities. We’ll have Wi-Fi for people who want to work and entertainment for those seeking fun. People will be able to pull up their boats, enjoy live music, and have a great time right on the water.”

Planned features of the new Wilky’s On The Water include:

¯ 120 outdoor seats

¯ An outdoor bar created from the old shuffleboard surface

¯ Large deck overlooking the river

Work on the outdoor patio at the former Edgewater Cafe, located at 860 Muskingum River Road, takes place as Wilky’s On The Water is expected to open in late May or early June. Owner Bill Wilkinson said they plan to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo provided)

¯ 120 feet of dock space for boaters

¯ Live music stages

¯ Professional cornhole tournaments

¯ Weekend breakfast service

¯ Large projection screens for sports viewing

Bill Wilkinson, owner of Wilky’s Sports Bar in downtown Marietta, has been remodeling the inside of The Edgewater Cafe, located at 860 Muskingum River Road, in preparation of opening Wilky’s On The Water in May. Wilkinson plans to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo provided)

“People in the area are so excited to have that kind of atmosphere back,” said Molly Zimmer, who will be the bar manager for Wilky’s On The Water.

“We’ve already had kayaking groups and Boy Scouts expressing excitement about using our dock space.”

Wilkinson said they plan to continue its tradition of supporting local veterans, schools, and community events at the new location.

He said they sponsor local veteran groups, host an annual golf tournament and support various local events, including community Easter egg hunts and partnerships with local schools and Marietta College.

“We’ve been blessed by our community, so we try to give back everywhere we can,” Ware added.

Bill Wilkinson, owner of Wilky’s Sports Bar in downtown Marietta, has been remodeling the inside of The Edgewater Cafe, located at 860 Muskingum River Road, in preparation of opening Wilky’s On The Water in May. Wilkinson plans to create a unique indoor-outdoor experience with 120 outdoor seats, an exterior bar and 120 feet of dock space that will cater to boaters, kayakers and river enthusiasts. (Photo provided)

The new Wilky’s On The Water is expected to open in late May or early June.

“We’re basically trying to keep the outdoor and the stone block building of the Edgewater alive and adding our Wilky’s way of life,” Wilkinson said.