Help please! Does anyone know Cardiff well?

[Crappydoo]

I am taking my daughter and her friend to a gig at Cardiff Uni on Thursday night. They want to be there early so I'll probably have 4 hours to spare....
We live an hour and a half away so I could go home but would rather be on hand in case she needs me. Does anyone have any cheap suggestions of how i could kill 4 hours please? Thank you

Cinema?
Not sure if any of the big hotel spas would be open in the evening
late night shopping

Can you not just wander the shops and have a coffee or two? Winter Wonderland is on at the moment and the Christmas markets will be up. The castle grounds are nice for a walk, or Bute Park. You could get a boat or train down to the Bay and back.

My bad, I was thinking late night shopping had started as it used to be til 10pm on Thursdays in Cardiff!

I would get a book from the library and pop myself in a pub/cafe with cake and a hot chocolate.

Winter Wonderland is not far from the museum, there are lots of cafe’s and bars that you could go and sit in. I would take a book and have a chill out. You can walk from the student union into town quite easily.

City centre has nice little arcades and lanes, near the university there's an area with lots of international supermarkets, unusual restaurants and crucially chaiwalla!

Winter wonderland is literally a stones throw away from Cardiff uni. There are a few cinemas in walking distance, plenty of bars and restraunts for food and a soft drink. But park light walk if there are tickets available is also within walking distance if the uni. Drive down to Cardiff Bay for food and an evening stroll. Some shopping, I'm sure some of the shops will be open till a little later now Christmas is close.

The Museum itself is open late until 9pm on the first Thursday of the month. Well worth a visit and free.

museum.wales/cardiff/whatson/11565/Extra-Time-at-National-Museum-Cardiff/

Check out Sherman Theatre which is on the same street as student union. They have a nice bar area and might be something on that you can watch!

Like others have suggested, a wander round the shops and Festive Stalls, get some food, lots of choice.
Then tuck yourself into Barkers in the Arcade off St Mary St, it's so cosy.
This is what I did when DW was on a course at the University, it was so lovely on a Thursday evening.
I hope you have a good time here in South Wales.

There's a really good escape room in the town centre!

Oh and be prepared to have lots of little conversations if you want to engage.
I met a lovely couple in Barkers and then saw them again looking around the stalls. We are a friendly bunch but it will be fine if you don't want to chat too.