PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

The most coveted — and thus the most expensive — seats don’t always provide the best views.

You’ll pay a steep price to be yards from the Steelers bench … and never actually be able to follow a play. The Pirates will happily sell you an expensive ticket on top of the dugout, but the best views are from the 200 level. And at PPG Paints Arena, you may want the action and excitement of being against the glass — but you’ll quickly find out you can’t actually see a thing down there.

For the best combination of view and amenities (without blowing several months’ rent), look for tickets in the Captain Morgan Club. The seating area encompasses sections 111-113 (and loge boxes 17-23), which sit at center ice; opt for one of the back rows of those sections and you’ll be close enough to hear the players chirp at one another but still have a full view of the game.

PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The other big benefit: Exclusivity. These sections have a dedicated entrance, meaning only fans seated in those sections can access the food and drink options within the Captain Morgan Club. You won’t be caught in a mammoth line when you want to get a hot dog — and, just as vitally, you won’t miss the action because you’re waiting for the bathroom, also a private amenity.

The club also offers a special-menu dining area, Make, which rotates among crowd-pleasing menu themes (think tacos, fried chicken or Italian fare). Two bars straddle an open area for those looking to mingle before taking their seats. All of these make for improvements to a hockey game — and they’re helpful at other arena events, too. You may be seeing Cirque du Soleil (which returns to PPG Paints Arena Jan. 18-21), but you’ll still want nachos and a cold beer.

These certainly aren’t the cheapest seats in the house — face value prices start in the $265 range, although you can probably do a bit better on the secondary market — but for a once-a-year, special-occasion outing, that’s a lot more reasonable than plenty of other tickets. And paying a bit more for the best seats in the house is a bargain we’ll take.

While You’re Here: Near the main concession stand in the Captain Morgan Club, you’ll find a tribute to the Penguins’ past arenas — all the way back to the Duquesne Gardens. Brush up on your history while you wait for your hot dog.

Insider’s Tip: Okay, let’s say you do want a cheap seat. If you’re upstairs in the 200 level, don’t grab one of the front rows – grab one of the back rows. The view doesn’t change much whether you’re in Row A or Row Q, and you’re closer to the restrooms and concessions at the back of the section. You’ll also save a bundle.