<p>There are a lot of different types of parties at the University of Chicago, each with their own feel, customs, rules, guests, etc. I'll run through them. Sorry about the length.</p>
<p>Dorm Parties
First of all, Chicago has no University rule against underage drinking. They don't see enforcing city/state policy as their job, and they very much value student privacy. Additionally, one of the largest dorms on campus, the Shoreland, has a lot of apartment style rooms with a couple bedrooms, a large living room, a kitchen, a dining room, and a couple of bathrooms. That's pretty much perfect for a party. A room of students will decide to throw a party, sometimes for a specific reason, sometimes with a theme, sometimes just for fun. The students spend enormous amounts of money on alcohol and set up a "bar" of sorts. For larger parties, the bar will be a blocked off area in the kitchen, and there will be a bartender. Parties in dorms must be free per University rules, though some ask for donations. These parties are advertised on facebook. Sometimes they are open to anyone in the college and othertimes there is a strict guestlist and a bouncer at the door. Party rules, I believe, say that you can't have open parties, so it's dangerous to advertise on facebook. The U of C has Resident Heads who are senior graduate students who live with their families in each House on campus. Many have facebooks. They are in charge of shutting parties down and overall making sure things are going OK. The RHs will check in with the party host if the party is loud near quiet hours, and they'll quiet down or people will begin to leave. No one gets in trouble for drinking. If someone gets sick, the party ends. Open alcohol is not allowed in common spaces, such as hallways, so if an RH sees you it will likely be taken away. Parties are strictly defined by the number of guests, which I think is 15 people. The definition of a party has nothing to do with alcohol, music, time of day, or purpose. With over 15 people, the party has to be registered with the RHs and certain rules apply (such as putting together a guest list for the front desk, getting permission from people next door, and not holding it during exam week). These parties almost always have music and some dancing, but dancing isn't the focus. </p>
<p>Frat Parties
There are usually frat parties on Fridays and Saturdays, though some weekends there aren't any. These are advertised on Facebook, but the "location" and "host" fields are almost always blank or ambiguous. You learn the location by seeing who started the event and seeing what frat he's in or by word of mouth. These parties often have themes. Many serve only cheap beer, though at some theme parties other drinks will be served. It is often $3 or $5 to get in, though girls are always free or cheaper than guys. There is music and some dancing. Sometimes these are fun, often they're not. They can get very, very crowded if only one frat is throwing a party that night. Bar Night, which JHS mentioned, is not really a party. It's held every Wednesday except for finals week by a certain frat and has a full bar. Only U of C students with IDs are allowed in. You pay per drink. It's very casual and isn't really considered a party. It's very crowded during certain weeks of the quarter. Frat parties are also advertised by flyers handed out during busy times of day outside main campus buildings or walk ways. Drinking games (beer pong, flip cup) are sometimes played but are not central. Frats also have formal cocktail parties sometimes. These are strictly invite-only and have a very small guest list. Everyone gets very dressed up, the frat house (if that's the locaion) is cleaned, a variety of alcohol is served, some food may be served, and it's a very intimate gathering. </p>
<p>University Parties
The largest University thrown party is the Scav Party on the quads. There used to be free-flowing alcohol until some destruction of property occured last year when the party was held in a classroom building. This year, alcohol was for strictly 21+ and police were checking bags upon entering the area. Few people attended. Other University parties have alcohol for 21+ and are based on themes. People usually drink before or after or skip these altogether.</p>
<p>Other Stuff
Dancing is rarely the focus of college parties that I've seen. Sometimes it exists, but it's almost never central to the event. Mostly it's people talking, hanging out, meeting new people, laughing, relaxing, and having a good time. Some parties are just small groups of friends. People get together very often for just hanging out. Sometimes this involves alcohol, often it doesn't. There are tame get togethers organized by professors for dinner for students or organized by student organizations. There isn't a very large drug scene, though it exists. "Sex" at parties is limited to making out and some grinding. Once it gets beyond that, it's usually behind a closed door or after the main party has ended. Parties tend to keep pretty safe, especially in dorm rooms. Fights, alcohol poisoning, and vandalism are rare and almost non-existent at dorm or apartment parties (though there are always people who drink too much and get sick). The "intellectualism," Alumother, actually still exists at parties--it's very normal to hear quirky and/or intelligent conversation about random topics that come up. </p>
<p>This is, of course, just my experience. Other people may have different experiences.</p>