The bartender should have made your drink a (free) double to make up for you being neglected...
I actually saw a server at the HRH pool tell someone that they couldn't bring their own food to the area. The woman had a large bag of chips. I haven't seen anyone say anything any other time. Last time we were at the HRH pool, I couldn't get a server to even look at me. I even tried flagging one and moving to a lounger that was on the main path. I finally went to the bar and got a drink myself. I mean come on. I'm on vacation and you want me to walk to the bar for a drink