Our Story

Almost 100 Years of History

1924 – The Sweetwater Casino

The Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck is situated on the site of the iconic Sweetwater Casino. Established in 1924(check), the Sweetwater Casino was well known across South Jersey for its riverside dining, banquet facility, and cheese!

The Sweetwater Casino never contained an actual casino. It got its name during prohibition, when it was run as a speakeasy where many came to drink booze and gamble.

In its day, Sweetwater Casino was the site of many wonderful weddings. Many folks still return to the site of the old Sweetwater Casino with fond memories of their special times.

2008 – The Fire

Early one morning in the summer of 2008, a fire broke out at Sweetwater Casino. While the blaze was reported at 4 am, Sweetwater’s rural location made it hard for firefighters to control the flames. Ironically, the fire was not put out until after 6 am due to a lack of water. Tankers from nearby towns had to be called in. Despite firefighters’ best efforts, the building that held so many memories was destroyed. Investigators later determined that a lightning strike was the cause of the devastating scene.

Watch NBC’s Coverage of the Fire

2016 – A New Start

In the Winter of 2016, Mike and Kimmie Iles purchased the former Sweetwater Casino. Before buying the property, the Iles family had spent over 30 summers on the Mullica River. Knowing the memories “The Casino” held for so many, Mike and Kim considered themselves very lucky to give life back to one of South Jersey’s best-kept secrets.

In the Summer of 2016, the Iles family began operating the property under a new name, the “Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck.” From 2016-2019, thousands of people flocked to the Riverdeck and some were shocked to find that the local favorite was just a glorified party tent with a large bar underneath and about 50 picnic tables out on the lawn.

Despite its modest appearance, people quickly realized that The Riverdeck’s laid-back style was one of the best things about the destination! Families enjoyed being able to let their kids play while dining and friends enjoyed sitting back and relaxing by the riverside.

2019 – Back & Better Than Ever

Shortly after closing for the season in 2019, the Sweetwater crew began demolition. Early in 2020, they broke ground and began construction of two brand new buildings, one being the restaurant and the other being an event space.

The building pictured above is home to Sweetwater Riverdeck’s bar and restaurant. Sweetwater Riverdeck serves a variety of food from salads and sandwiches to pizzas and sushi in addition to bar food favorites. The Riverdeck building features roll-up doors to merge the indoor and outdoor space when the weather cooperates.

The second building on the property is home to “The Riverview,” Sweetwater’s new event space. The Riverview is the perfect venue for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, parties and more! As the name suggests, guests can enjoy beautiful sweeping views of the Mullica River during their celebration from the venue’s balcony.

Your Perfect Sweetwater Experience Starts Here!

Enjoy all that Sweetwater has to offer with ultimate convenience! Join our Loyalty Program for exclusive rewards, Order Online for easy takeout, or make a Reservation to secure your perfect spot.

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