The thermotropic phase transitions and the mesophase structure of two long-chain alkyl pyridinium halides are described. From small angle X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and dilatometry, the single liquid-crystalline phase found in each material is identified as smectic A. It is argued that the molecules within a layer are oriented alternately and packed in an interdigitated fashion, with the anions sandwiched between the pyridinium rings.