- The Narrator (Piano Man): The protagonist and the narrator of the story. He is a singer-pianist who plays at a bar.
- John at the bar: John is a regular customer at the bar where the narrator performs. He is described as a "real estate novelist," and he is struggling to write a novel about a man named "Mary."
- Paul at the bar: Paul is another regular at the bar. He is looking for approval and validation from others, specifically his parents, who are wealthy.
- A waitress at the bar: An unnamed waitress who has a son named "Ben" who is autistic. The waitress is struggling with her life, and the narrator expresses empathy for her situation.
- The old man at the bar: An unnamed elderly man who is a regular customer at the bar. He is a lonely and isolated figure who seeks comfort in the bar.
- A woman: An unnamed woman who comes into the bar with a man but seems distant and disconnected from him. The narrator believes she is looking for something more meaningful in her life.
These characters represent different aspects of human experiences, struggles, and emotions, and they create a tapestry of life within the bar setting where the piano man performs.