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As others pointed out, open parties can help with community relations between Greeks and independents and serve as an excellent rush tool.
At The University of Kentucky (UK) - back in the day - there use to be three different types of fraternity parties: mixer, house, and campus. Most of these were open to the UK community in some degree, yet rarely anyone else.
Mixers (exchanges) were held during mid week (usually Wednesdays after chapter) and involved a sorority coming over. May or may not have some sort of theme. Some times it would be more of an 'open house' in that all sororities would be invited i.e. Derby Day week. Sometimes mixers would be open to the whole campus which really meant any UK coed. Or the non UK girlfriends of brothers.
House parties were usually on the weekend and had a band or DJ and almost always involved some sort of a guest list. The guest list might include any UK Greek or UK student (open). There might be a small cover charge to get in and usually a doorman (often non fraternity member). Numbers of attendees were kept under control. May or may not have some sort of theme. Alumni and parents weekend type of events fell under this as well.
Campus parties were usually held Friday afternoons or the Saturday afternoon after a home football game. Usually held around or in conjunction with one of the chapter's philanthropy events. Usually a cover charge and most parties were held outside due to space. Pull up a flat bed truck, put a band or DJ on it and party. Often in the street but usually in the house's parking lot. The actual fraternity house was usually off limits except to members and their guests. And for a marked bathroom area mainly for use by the women. Most/all had bouncers at the doors to enforce this.
I should note that at the time it was legal (both UK and Commonwealth of Kentucky policy) for an 18 year old to drink in/on 'private property'. Dorm rooms, and fraternity houses (property) were considered private even though they may be on campus. Yet, in all my years at UK, I never heard of fights breaking out, any serious alcohol related accidents, nor really any damage to the house/property to speak of. Just massive clean up the next day. But then again, that was what pledges were for.
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