Harry Hope

Harry Hope is the owner of a saloon and rooming house on New York City's Lower West Side. Suffering from agoraphobia since his wife's death many years ago, he hasn't left the bar since. Although he despised his wife, he clings to an idealized memory of her, believing her to have been the perfect wife, when in fact she was a nag. Hope tries to present a tough demeanor but is inherently kind, often giving free rent and drinks to his roomers, who depend on his generosity. An alcoholic himself, his pipe dream is to venture beyond the saloon walls, but any attempt to do so ends in failure.

Ed Mosher

Ed Mosher, Harry Hope's brother-in-law, is a former circus man and petty swindler. Living at the saloon, he dreams of returning to the circus. His attempts to reclaim his former life are invariably unsuccessful.

Pat McGloin

Pat McGloin, once a police lieutenant, was expelled from the force on grounds of corruption. A roomer at Harry Hope's, his recurring fantasy is to regain his old position, but his efforts to be reinstated are consistently rejected.

Willie Oban

Willie Oban, a Harvard Law School graduate, finds himself in a downward spiral due to alcoholism, having been abandoned by his family who are ashamed of his behavior. Living at Harry Hope’s, he entertains the notion of quitting drinking and practicing law, yet these aspirations remain unfulfilled.

Joe Mott

Joe Mott, the only black character in the narrative, used to run a gambling establishment for a black clientele. He lives at the saloon and before Hickey's arrival, prided himself on being "white," implying superiority over others of his race. However, after Hickey challenges him, he realizes the roomers have always viewed him differently because of his color, and he will never truly belong.

Piet Wetjoen

Piet Wetjoen, referred to as The General, is a former commander of a Boer commando. Now a roomer at Harry Hope’s, Wetjoen has a shared history with Cecil Lewis, having fought on opposing sides during the Boer War.

Cecil Lewis

Cecil Lewis, known as The Captain, is a former British Army officer. A roomer at the saloon, he shares a complicated camaraderie with Piet Wetjoen, even after having served on opposite sides in the Boer War.

James Cameron

Known as Jimmy Tomorrow, James Cameron is a former Boer War correspondent who now lives at the saloon. Dismissed for heavy drinking, he justified his alcoholism by blaming his wife, Marjorie, for infidelity. Despite his resolve to reclaim his former position "tomorrow," his efforts are futile, with his only consolation being the imagined return to his profession.

Hugo Kalmar

Hugo Kalmar, who once edited anarchist publications, now resides at Harry Hope's. He is familiar with Don Parritt's mother from past associations. Having served ten years in prison for the Movement, he now drifts through life in an alcoholic haze.

Larry Slade

Larry Slade, a senior resident at the saloon, is a self-proclaimed anarchist-syndicalist who fancies himself a detached observer. Unlike the others, he believes he is free of the comforting delusions of a return to his former life. The arrival of Don Parritt, who might be his son, forces Larry to confront his connections to the group. Ultimately, Larry advises Parritt to commit suicide, which he does. By the play's conclusion, Larry remains the only character unable to revert to his dreamy illusions, and faces solitude in the saloon.

Rocky Pioggi

Rocky Pioggi, the night bartender at Harry Hope’s, is a good-natured figure who deludes himself into thinking he's more than just a pimp for Margie and Pearl....