Top 5: Luxury NHL Experiences
Toronto, ON There are two types of hockey fans out there – the fans that like to be as close to the game as possible, and those that like to be as far from the ice as they can without leaving the facility. By now I’m sure you’re all aware which type I am – *whispers* on the glass… So, you can probably imagine that whenever I feel the need to have a disgustingly “luxurious” NHL experience, hiding way up in a suite (which might as well be in Siberia) doesn’t really appeal to me. The sad thing is that there aren’t many NHL facilities that offer premium “rinkside” experiences, which is a damn shame. Luckily, there are a few gems in this league that cater to likeminded hockey fans, who also believe that it ain’t a hockey game if you can’t smell the ice or feel the speed of the players in your hair. So, today we look at the Top 5 best non-suite “luxury” NHL experiences. Enjoy!
#5 Toronto – Platinum Club
$$$: From $217 (not including food and beverage)
Game Day: Granted the Platinum Club perks aren’t exactly perks, and definitely not attractive incentives to throw down the cash for a Platinum seat (roughly the first 10 or so rows) at the Air Canada Centre. Unlike the other entries on this list, the Platinum Club doesn’t give you free stuff for spending more money on your ticket than all the other fans in the building, but rather they provide you with “exclusive” opportunities to spend even MORE money! Yes, you will have an in-seat server, but you will also be paying a fee to have the food delivered to you, as opposed to getting off your ass and going to the concession stands yourself. Yes, you will be allowed through the gates 2 hours before puck drop, but thats only if you hang out in the upscale VIP restaurants/bars for an hour, and, yes, spend even MORE money! Now, you may think I’m complaining, but actually I LOVE the Platinum Club! Maybe it’s the fact that I live in Toronto, and when I do buy Leafs tickets, I convince myself that (in a way) I’m saving money on travel, hotels, and etc by going to a local game instead of any other rink in the NHL, so I can “afford” (not really) the hefty price tags associated with everything down in the Plats. Plus, the ACC is one of the few rinks in the NHL that has a Platinum concourse at locker room level. You may not be getting any freebies (unless you consider the odd appearance from Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow a freebie), but the Air Canada Centre truly is the nicest facility in the NHL, and the more you pay, the nicer it gets!
#4 New Jersey – Fire (or Ice) Lounge
$$$: From $235 (not including alcohol)
Game Day: By far the Fire and Ice Lounges (I’ve been in both) are my personal favourites on this list, and I always find value in splurging on this little bit of luxury whenever I’m in Newark. Sure, the alcohol isn’t included, but these swanky lounges (which are located above [and cater to] the centre ice seats in the lower bowl) have a wide variety of suite quality food that you can stuff down your throat completely free of judgement. I pretty much starve myself before the gates open, and go to town on all the sushi, pizza, and etc I can handle all night long. Surprisingly, the lack of free alcohol never ruins my feeding frenzy. There are always plenty of soft drinks to go around, after all. The rootbeer is a particular favourite of mine. So, while you may prefer to sit in the (extremely) cheap seats at The Rock, I suggest saving up your swear jar cash and treating yourself to this sinful game day experience at least once in your life.
#3 Arizona -BMW Lounge
$$$: From $225 (food and some alcohol included)
Game Day: When I was your age BMW Lounge was called the Toyota Club, and I also remember it being a little more exclusive (now catering to 375 patrons) and a little less costly. The best thing about BMW Lounge is the optimal location. If you’re a jock sniffer, puck bunny, or generic hockey player idolizer, you’ll love that the lounge area is located right off of the Coyotes’ locker room, and that the players will be passing within (sexual?) assaulting distance from you before each and every period. However, the “perks” weren’t that great. Vince Vaughn and a few platters of finger foods were pretty much the highlights while I was there. At that time each Club ticket was awarded 3 drink tickets, however hard drinks (non-beer) were valued at 2 tickets a piece! Damn my margarita habit! Now, the BMW club boasts “all-inclusive food and beverage opportunities,” whatever that means. Sadly, with the beautiful Gila River Arena being located right in the heart of the lively Westgate City Center, one has to wonder if BMW Lounge will ever be worth the price given all the attractive alternatives going on just outside the rink prior to puck drop.
#2 Minnesota – Audi On-The-Glass
$$$: From $230 (all-inclusive)
Game Day: Dear Xcel Energy Center… What the @#$%!? I had GLASS seats when I was there back in the 2010-11 season, and I didn’t see any damn Treasure Island Ice Lodge (or Audi On-The-Glass as it is now known)! What. A. Rip. Off! The Minnesota Wild offer MEGA and super exclusive perks to the 190 fans that sit on the glass at every home game. Depending on the opponent, front row tickets at the X start at $230! However, with that ticket, you get to hang out in what I can only assume (ahem) is a fancy lounge. The Audi quattro Club boasts all you can eat “gourmet” food (including entrees and desserts), and (WOO HOO!) even the alcohol is FREE! So, when you consider how much money you might spend on rink food and beer in the upper bowl, a seat right on the glass might actually be a better value – especially if you’re the alcoholic type! Plus, you can’t beat being that close to the action… Or other sweaty things… *grins*
#1 St. Louis – Blue Note Lounge
$$$: From $142 (all-inclusive)
Game Day: The Blue Note Lounge is definitely the bargain of the NHL! With the purchase of a ticket within the first 4 rows of Scottrade Center, you are granted access to the all-inclusive Blue Note Lounge. The food in the Lounge is a close second to New Jersey, and a different course is put out before each period – so it’s always hot and fresh! The alcohol is also FREE, but be warned that the staff will attempt to control the output of beer by using small cups to ration the goods. But don’t feel too bad about double fisting your brew! You’ll notice quite quickly that there isn’t a free hand in the joint! What makes this Blues game day experience so incredible is the price! There aren’t too many rinks in the NHL that have tickets as low as $142 for seats within the first 4 rows from the ice – let alone tickets that also include all you can eat grub and a steady stream of sauce! Bravo, St. Louis! Bravo, and thank you!
This post originally appeared on PsychoLadyHockey.com on March 15, 2013. The information has been upgraded (descriptions remain unaltered). Ticket prices are approximations and not reflective of the upcoming 2016-17 NHL season.