IMDb 6.9 2017 HD

Susanne Bartsch: On Top

Susanne Bartsch: On Top

2017
Documentary
84 min NR USA
7 / 10
6.9 IMDB

Dubbed New York's "Queen of the Night," proto–club kid Susanne Bartsch has been throwing unforgettable parties for over 30 years and is still going strong.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Alexander Smith / Anthony Caronna
Starring
Susanne Bartsch / RuPaul / Amanda Lepore

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

vibrant legendary influential creative iconic extravagant enduring celebratory flamboyant captivating energetic colourful

Reviews

P
Priya Sharma
Apr 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a vibrant, effervescent documentary that truly captures the spirit of Susanne Bartsch. Dubbed the 'Queen of the Night,' her dedication to crafting unforgettable parties over three decades is inspirational. The film’s tone is celebratory, reflecting the…

A
Alistair Finch
Apr 13, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Susanne Bartsch: On Top' provides a lively, if somewhat superficial, glimpse into the world of New York's celebrated party queen. The film highlights Bartsch's remarkable career spanning over thirty years, emphasizing her knack for throwing spectacular events. While…

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 13, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A dazzling and effervescent journey into the heart of New York's most legendary parties, 'Susanne Bartsch: On Top' is an absolute triumph. Bartsch herself is an endlessly captivating subject, a true visionary whose passion for creating unforgettable nights…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 13, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This documentary offers a fascinating, if somewhat conventional, portrait of Susanne Bartsch, the architect of New York's most iconic parties. The film successfully conveys her decades-long reign as a nightlife impresario, showcasing the flamboyant spectacle she orchestrates. While…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Susanne Bartsch: On Top' is a glittering, exhilarating tribute to a true original. The film captures the sheer force of nature that is Susanne Bartsch, New York's enduring 'Queen of the Night.' Her parties are legendary, and director…

FAQs

Given its focus on Susanne Bartsch's 30-year career throwing parties, the film implicitly explores the evolution of club culture, particularly within New York's iconic scenes. It likely offers insights into how nightlife has changed, the trends that have emerged, and Bartsch's consistent ability to remain at the forefront. Her longevity suggests a keen understanding of what makes a party resonate and endure.