Over the years, the property has had a variety of purposes, including a Salvation Army meeting hall, radiator repair shop, art gallery and storage facility for the Vitagraph Film Co.. Founded in 1911, Vitagraph Film Co. was one of the first movie studios in the Los Angeles area. The Rapp Saloon even served as Santa Monica’s City Hall for two years, and was the city's first landmark.

Now it's part of the Hostelling International building and the Rapp Saloon is used for poetry readings.

Reviewers write:

“LA teens are still hanging around listening to music and playing video games, but are also getting more creative and going to poetry readings. They offer teens the chance to be expressive and, like seeing live music, they have to seek out the locations. Currently the hot places for teens to hear poetry are at the Rapp Saloon, located in a Santa Monica branch of the International Youth Hostel.”

FYI- Hosteling International recently received a certificate of appropriateness allowing additional floor to be added to the Santa Monica Youth Hostel. The addition will add some 30,000 square feet spread over four floors. The two uppermost of floors cannot be seen from the street.

Santa Monica City Commissioners praised the adaptations --- "It just shows what can be done," noted City Council member Ken Genser.