Spoken like a true country boy BlueBolt. I've lived in downtown Evv three different times, including currently since Oct. 2014. It's as safe as any part of the Evansville area as long as you know where you are going and aren't out wandering the streets alone late night. It's a much safer downtown now than it ever has been (again lived there '92-5, '98-99 and '14-present). We have an IU medical school opening up downtown soon to add to the population, so it will only keep getting better. I live less than a mile from the Ford Center and have walked to and from many times without issue.
What we really need is "Hook's Evansville SS preview", but places in or near downtown Eville to check out:
www.HayniesCorner.com (less than 1 mile away): Evansville Brew House, Waltons (big place with decent food and also has prohibition style speakeasy Fidel's upstairs); Sauced (good italian); Dapper Pig (gastropub); Mo's House (bar with great cocktails).
Main Street: Comfort (great place opened in 2017 on 3rd and Main. Back Stage (across from Ford Center) good bar cheap beer and should have live music Friday night (I know they do on Sat. night. Zuki as mentioned already. The Peephole is a great dive bar on 2nd and Main. Cafe Arazu 5th and Main. Bruburger mentioned already 3rd and Sycamore one block off Main St.
Other downtown: Madelines on 2nd and Oak - good upscale food.
Franklin Street (about 1.5 miles away from Ford Center): GerstHaus mentioned already, but also Smittys Italian Steakhouse, Pistons (high octane bar), Franklin Street Tavern, Franklin Street Pizza, Sportsmans Billiards are all good.
Matty B: Tropicana opened their land based casino in October 2017. It's MUCH nicer than the old boat. Also, Cavanaughs is still on the boat side of the street and is run by Tropicana. I has a great steak there a couple weeks ago. Prices are at good streak house prices though.
It's okay to leave Warrick County BlueBolt and experience new things.